Mr WOOD - 2002-05-14
During the debate on mandatory sentencing, I raised the issue of a review of the crime statistics six months after the justice amendment bills were passed. In your statement to parliament on 18 October last year you said:
In response to the member for Nelson’s query about whether we could have a review in six months, I can make an
undertaking today: we will bring this back as a ministerial statement in six months time, or thereabouts, and we’ll throw
that open for debate. We, as a parliament, can decide how things are going.
As we are now six months and 28 days from when you made that statement, which I am sure would be regarded as six months or thereabouts by the shadow Attorney-General, could I ask you, when will you make that ministerial statement to parliament? Will you include an independent analysis of the crime statistics? Will you include an analysis of sentences handed out for property offences and how many times the exceptional circumstances clause has been used, and a comparison between jail terms and community orders?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. It is a fair bit to put into seven minutes in terms of an answer. I will give you an interim answer right now that will give the outline of what has happened since our sentencing laws were brought into effect.
The new regime with our laws under the six-point plan commenced on 22 October 2001. The statistics for offences finalised by the courts between 22 October 2001 and 31 March 2002, which included offences committed prior to 22 October 2001 for which the guidelines of the new sentencing regime apply, are available and are as follows: 153 individuals were convicted of an aggravated property offence under the new sentencing regime as of 31 March. Of those offenders, 90% were male, 60% were under 25 years of age. One hundred and twenty-nine, or 85%, had committed unlawful entry with intent. Thirteen, or 8%, had committed unlawful use of a motor car. Ninety individuals, or 59% of these were imprisoned. Sixteen per cent, or 25 individuals, received community work orders. One individual, or .7%, received a home detention order, and 37 individuals, or 24%, received other dispensations.
Direct comparison of the old to new regime is difficult because of the different offence types and the recent implementation. It is anticipated by mid-year under the new regime we will be capable of some comparison with the old, and in that analysis we will be able to establish how many persons have been imprisoned under the new regime compared to the old regime. There are three appeals on foot - two against the severity of the sentence, and one against the imprisonment order itself.
I hope that helps the member for Nelson to give you an overview of what has happened to date.
In response to the member for Nelson’s query about whether we could have a review in six months, I can make an
undertaking today: we will bring this back as a ministerial statement in six months time, or thereabouts, and we’ll throw
that open for debate. We, as a parliament, can decide how things are going.
As we are now six months and 28 days from when you made that statement, which I am sure would be regarded as six months or thereabouts by the shadow Attorney-General, could I ask you, when will you make that ministerial statement to parliament? Will you include an independent analysis of the crime statistics? Will you include an analysis of sentences handed out for property offences and how many times the exceptional circumstances clause has been used, and a comparison between jail terms and community orders?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. It is a fair bit to put into seven minutes in terms of an answer. I will give you an interim answer right now that will give the outline of what has happened since our sentencing laws were brought into effect.
The new regime with our laws under the six-point plan commenced on 22 October 2001. The statistics for offences finalised by the courts between 22 October 2001 and 31 March 2002, which included offences committed prior to 22 October 2001 for which the guidelines of the new sentencing regime apply, are available and are as follows: 153 individuals were convicted of an aggravated property offence under the new sentencing regime as of 31 March. Of those offenders, 90% were male, 60% were under 25 years of age. One hundred and twenty-nine, or 85%, had committed unlawful entry with intent. Thirteen, or 8%, had committed unlawful use of a motor car. Ninety individuals, or 59% of these were imprisoned. Sixteen per cent, or 25 individuals, received community work orders. One individual, or .7%, received a home detention order, and 37 individuals, or 24%, received other dispensations.
Direct comparison of the old to new regime is difficult because of the different offence types and the recent implementation. It is anticipated by mid-year under the new regime we will be capable of some comparison with the old, and in that analysis we will be able to establish how many persons have been imprisoned under the new regime compared to the old regime. There are three appeals on foot - two against the severity of the sentence, and one against the imprisonment order itself.
I hope that helps the member for Nelson to give you an overview of what has happened to date.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016