A new advisory council is to be established in the ACT to advise the Government on areas of potential law reform and provide expert advice on sentencing.
Announced by Attorney-General, Shane Rattenbury, the establishment of the Law and Sentencing Advisory Council responds to recent calls from within the community for changes to sentencing.
Mr Rattenbury said the new Council would perform a dual role with its primary purpose to support Government to keep the law current and relevant for the community.
He said it would also have a sentencing advisory role, which may include the collection, analysis and publication of data on sentencing trends and practices.
“This new, independent Council will undertake a critical advisory function on law reform and sentencing issues,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“Sentencing is an important function of courts and one that is of particular interest to the community,” he said.
“Instead of a once off review, this Council will be a lasting mechanism that will be both proactive and reactive in considering sentencing issues.”
Mr Rattenbury said an important function of the Council would be to bring together perspectives from across the community, the courts and Government by informing, engaging and advising on sentencing issues.
“The Council will undertake community and stakeholder consultation, and conduct and publish research, in order to make recommendations on law reform and sentencing issues referred to it,” the Attorney-General said.
“By working collaboratively, the Council will make informed recommendations for systemic improvements on issues that matter to Canberrans.
He said the new body would have a broad membership, with representation from the community and justice sector.
Mr Rattenbury said it may include ACT Policing, ACT Courts, the ACT Bar Association, the ACT Law Society, and the legal assistance sector.
“Members would be appointed in their personal capacity to reflect diverse and expert perspectives on law reform, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives,” the Minister said.
