Any expert in the area will tell you that, over the past hundred years, we have developed a case-by-case sentencing system in our justice system. Under this system, sentencing is based on facts and evidence presented in court. We are neither judges nor a court of law here. We have developed a system based on courts of law with defence attorneys and Crown Prosecutors like Ms. Murphy. These courts are presided over by judges, who rule based on the actual offences and the circumstances in which they were committed. They have the authority to hand down appropriate sentences based on how best to protect the public. Removing this authority will restrict stakeholders’ ability to prevent reoffending.
Basically, the whole issue boils down to whether or not we trust the courts. I can understand that some ordinary people may no longer trust the courts but where are the studies that show that the Government should no longer trust our courts? What science underpins this overhaul of our hundred-year old system? Which studies and papers is this change based on? Where is the science and the experience? I freely admit that there have been high-profile cases that have raised questions in people’s minds. Questions have been raised but you cannot legislate based on just one or two cases reported in the media. You have to take a step back and look at the situation again. Science exists for a reason. A some point in the past someone discovered that the Earth was round.