Vic: Mandatory sentencing laws should go, Victorian govt says

AAP General News (Australia)
02-17-2000
Vic: Mandatory sentencing laws should go, Victorian govt says

MELBOURNE, Feb 17 AAP - The federal government should overturn the Northern Territory's
"draconian, racist and inhumane" mandatory sentencing laws, the Victorian government said
today.

"Australians should hang their heads in shame that such laws still exist in this day
and age," Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hulls said.

"And there is absolutely no evidence to suggest there has been any drop in crime rates
since the introduction of mandatory sentencing, with the NT now imprisoning its people
at four times the rate of any state."

Mr Hulls' comments come as opponents of mandatory sentencing laws prepare to protest
across the nation today after an Aborigine was jailed in the Northern Territory for stealing
$23 worth of biscuits.

The jailing of 21-year-old Jamie Wurramara for one year followed the suicide of a 15-year-old
Aboriginal boy serving four weeks for stealing pencils and stationery and breaking a window.

Mr Hulls said if the federal government had seen fit to intervene over euthanasia laws
in the NT it should also step in in this case.

AAP pjb/er/wjf/it

KEYWORD: MANDATORY VIC

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.