Victorians deserve confidence that our justice system is working, yet too often there are questions about whether sentences for serious crimes meet community expectations.
The Nationals have a plan to shine a light on sentencing and improve transparency, consistency and accountability across Victoria’s justice system.
If elected, we will establish a specialist Court of Criminal Appeal to improve consistency in serious criminal matters and ensure sentences meet community expectations, while strengthening the ability of the Director of Public Prosecutions to appeal manifestly inadequate sentences.
We will also strengthen the Sentencing Advisory Council and publish comprehensive sentencing data so Victorians can see how sentences compare with maximum penalties. We will expand the SACStat database to include Children’s Court sentencing data and provide clearer information about sentencing outcomes, ranges and trends.
These reforms build on our broader plan to tackle crime, including Adult Crime, Adult Time, Break Bail, Face Jail and 3,000 additional police officers.
Victorians have a right to know how our justice system is working. Greater transparency will help restore confidence, promote consistency and ensure offenders are properly held to account.
The Nationals in government will make sure the community can see how Victoria’s justice system is responding to serious crime.
Danny O’Brien MP
Leader of The Nationals
