Mandatory minimum jail sentences for child sex offences

A Liberal Nationals Government will extend mandatory minimum jail sentences for child sex offenders.

Daniel Andrews and Labor have lost control of violent crime in Victoria.

The Andrews Labor Government failed record on law and order speaks for itself.

In December 2014, there were 1,139 recorded sexual offences against children. The last crime statistics in June 2018 recorded 1,782 sexual offences against children.

That’s an increase of 56.45% under the Andrews Labor Government.

Daniel Andrews and Labor are always making excuses for skyrocketing violent crime rates.

But under a Liberal Nationals Government, jail will mean jail.

That’s why the Liberal Nationals have previously announced 14 violent offences where a repeat violent offender will receive a mandatory minimum jail sentence.

This week, we announced an elected Liberal Nationals Government will include three more sex offences relating to the abuse of children to the current list of 14 mandatory minimum jail sentences.

That brings it to 17 violent offences that will result in a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 10 years to 15 years for repeat violent offenders.

The three additional sex offences are:

1.    Sexual penetration of a child under the age of 12 (s49A CA): This carries a maximum sentence of 25 years and a standard sentence of 10 years.  A re-offender would face a minimum term of 15 years.

2.    Sexual penetration of a child under the age of 16 (s49B CA): This carries a maximum sentence of 15 years and a standard sentence of 6 years.  A re-offender would face a minimum term of 10 years.

3.    Sexual penetration of a child aged 16 or 17 under care, supervision or authority (s49C CA): This carries a maximum sentence of 10 years, to be extended to 15 years, and no standard sentence.  A re-offender would face a minimum term of 10 years.

These jail times will be tough and will send a very strong message to anyone who thinks they can continue to hurt innocent Victorians that 10 or 15 years jail will mean 10 or 15 years jail.

Daniel Andrews doesn’t support mandatory minimum jail sentences. He believes the current system works.

Only a Liberal Nationals Government will introduce mandatory minimum jail sentences.

Comments attributable to Leader of the Liberal Party, Matthew Guy:

“Victoria’s justice system is broken but Daniel Andrews and his Labor MPs still defend it.

“You can’t fix something if you don’t admit that it’s broken.

“The Liberal Nationals know the justice system is broken, we know it needs to be fixed and we have a tough plan to fix it.

“Under a Government I lead, jail will mean jail. A minimum of 10 or 15 years will mean exactly that.

“At this election, Victorians will have a choice of more of the same from Daniel Andrews and Labor or they can vote for the Liberal Nationals to get back in control of violent crime.”

Comments attributable to Shadow Attorney-General, John Pesutto:

“Daniel Andrews doesn’t support mandatory minimum jail sentences. He believes the current system works.

“Only a Liberal Nationals Government will introduce mandatory minimum jail sentences.

“If these tough new laws save a single life or save someone from serious injury then it’s worth it.”

Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Families and Children, Georgie Crozier:

“There’s only one way to deal with a repeat child sex offender and that’s a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 10 years with no excuses and no exceptions.

“It shows how weak Daniel Andrews is on violent crime that he won’t support mandatory minimum jail sentences.”

Please download this press release as a PDF