Mandatory Prison Sentences for Violent Offenders Causing Physical Harm
Sentencing Amendment Bill 2024
Introduced by: The Hon Marie-Clare Boothby MLA (CLP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
“Madam Speaker, I present a Bill titled the Sentencing Amendment Bill 2024, Serial 1. Bill read a first time.”
Selena Uibo ALP
“Madam Speaker, I saw you listening intently because committees are a big part of the scrutiny process for legislation in this place. I thank the government for outlining its intentions for the committees. It is an important part of the process. It is great that there are no huge surprises. We thank the government for mostly staying with convention for the numbers on those committees.”
Chanston Paech ALP
“Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of Government Business for bringing this important motion to the House to discuss the formation and makeup of those committees. The Labor opposition will participate in all those committees. We will participate in the future formation of the Estimates Committee to ensure that we continue to hold the government to account on its election promises and deliverables.”
Laurie Zio CLP
“Madam Speaker, I welcome the Year 5 students from The Essington School to the Chamber. Today I address this critical issue facing our community; that is, the alarming increase in assaults on workers, including the despicable act of spitting on our frontline staff. It is time that we take decisive action to protect those who serve our community tirelessly day-in and day-out.”
Gerard Maley CLP
“Madam Speaker, I support this legislation. Territorians deserve to be safe whether they are at home or work. Frontline workers run to the danger that we run away from. They support us in our time of need, and they do a great job.”
Clinton Howe CLP
“Madam Speaker, this is a sad day for the Australian Labor Party, for may history know it was the Territory party that on this day protected workers. The Country Liberal Party stood up for workers, not on the grounds of a divisive class war, but on the grounds of morality and in our firm belief that every human being is and is made equal. We will protect them at all times.”
“[By leave, the member spoke in Yolngu Matha and self-interpreted in English.] Madam Speaker, I will not support this Bill because I do not and will not support mandatory sentencing. The Aboriginal Justice Agreement agrees to take action on the review and reform of legislation and previous provisions within the justice system that are unfair, discriminatory or detrimental to Aboriginal people.”
Matthew Kerle CLP
“Madam Speaker, I want to set the record straight. The former Attorney-General said in his contribution on the Bill that Labor made changes to protect frontline workers by increasing the maximum penalty for assaulting workers, including police and emergency workers. He is talking about the Criminal Justice Amendment Bill 2022.”
“Madam Speaker, it is with a bit of trepidation and emotion that I come to speak on this Bill, which I support. I go back to my maiden speech. It is always a good point of reference for people. Of the virtues my mother shared with me, and I have adopted, the most important were love, compassion and tolerance.”
Khoda Patel CLP
“Madam Speaker, I express my full support for the important Sentencing Amendment Bill 2024. This Bill will have a significant impact on the people of Casuarina and, indeed, all of the Northern Territory. This legislation is about sending a clear and strong message that we will not tolerate crime and will do everything in our power to protect those who have been victimised.”
Andrew Mackay CLP
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Territorians have a right to feel safe in their workplace and a right to know that those who break the law and harm them will be held accountable and face the consequences. Territorians have a right to know that if they are assaulted, those who commit the offences will do the time. I will address some rhetoric of those opposite.”
Oly Carlson CLP
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I support this Bill as it protects workers from violent attacks by introducing minimum mandatory sentences for assaults on police, paramedics, nurses, doctors, teachers, Corrections officers, retail and hospitality workers, bus and taxi drivers and any other NT worker who just wants to go to work and earn a living.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I worked at the hospital and in the community health setting over the last 13 years before serving the community as the Member for Sanderson. I have worked in the emergency department and the mental health sector in our community and have seen the risks and challenges that frontline workers face daily.”
Jo Hersey CLP
“Mr Deputy Speaker, the purpose of this Bill is to introduce mandatory sentencing for the offence of assaulting a worker and amend mandatory sentences for assaults on police and emergency workers in recognition of the special vulnerability of our community’s first responders. I listened to the speech you gave before, Mr Deputy Speaker. It was moving.”
Lia Finocchiaro CLP
“Madam Speaker, I am proud to contribute to the debate on the Sentencing Amendment Bill 2024. This is the last piece of legislation in our suite of measures reducing crime, which we promised Territorians we would deliver in the first sittings of parliament. We have successfully passed all other legislation and hope to pass this later this evening.”