Sean Price

Shadow Minister for Corrections, Edward O’Donohue

The sentencing of Sean Price confirms that a series of catastrophic failures of the justice system led to tragic consequences.
It is clear there were several opportunities for the justice system to keep a dangerous offender with a long history of sexual violence incarcerated.
Just about every aspect of the justice system failed Victorians on this occasion.  This extended from the court’s decision on appeal to reduce his previous sentence from 3 years and 8 months to 10 months, to the failure of Corrections Victoria to seek a Detention Order and the failure of Victorian Police to oppose bail on his release from Port Philip Prison in October 2014, and finally the failure of Corrections Victoria’s decision not to return Sean Price to Corella Place at any time between his release from prison and the date of the murder of Masa Vukotic.
Victorians deserve a strong response from the Parliament to make sure this never happens again.
The Liberal Nationals Coalition recommends that the Government release the Harper Review as soon as possible, which has been with government since 30 November 2015.  The Liberal Nationals are ready to work with the government to toughen our justice system.

Media contact: James Duncan     0457 758 018  james.duncan@opposition.vic.gov.au