26 September 2023

Tough new laws to protect frontline staff

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The NSW Sentencing Council has been requested to review the sentencing for offences involving assaults on police officers, correctional and youth justice officers, emergency services workers and health workers.

Attorney-General Mark Speakman called for the review, saying there were few more disgraceful acts than deliberate violence committed against the community’s frontline workers.

“My terms of reference to the Council today ask it to consider sentencing options to deter and reduce this type of offending,” Mr Speakman said.

“The review will take into account recent trends in assaults upon these workers, who keep our community safe, protecting our lives, property and health,” he said.

Mr Speakman said the review would complement a Parliamentary Inquiry, announced by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, to examine matters including the motivation driving attacks on members of the NSW Police Force.

“The Sentencing Council is to review the sentencing for offences involving assaults on police officers, correctional staff, youth justice officers, emergency services workers and health workers and make recommendations for any reform it considers appropriate,” he said.

He said the Sentencing Council should consider recent trends in assaults on these workers and in sentencing decisions; characteristics of offenders; sentencing options to deter the behaviour; and sentencing options to reduce reoffending.

Mr Speakman also asked the Council to consider the comparison of NSW sentencing decisions for assaults with equivalent decisions in other Australian jurisdictions as well as the comparison of NSW sentencing decisions for assaults on the workers with equivalent decisions for assaults generally.

He said the Sentencing Council was led by former Royal Commission Chair and NSW Judge of Appeal, Peter McClellan and included representatives from the NSW Police Force, victims of crimes and the community.

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