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Objective of the Bill

The key objective of the bill is to establish a sentencing advisory council in Queensland.

The Explanatory Notes advise that the council’s establishment is part of a process to improve the effectiveness of sentencing practices in achieving the principles of sentencing: punishment, deterrence, rehabilitation, community protection and denunciation.

The intent is that the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council (QSAC) would promote consistency in sentencing, stimulate balanced public debate on sentencing issues, including reforms, and strengthen public confidence in the justice system by educating and incorporating informed public opinion in the process.

The Bill would amend the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 to establish the QSAC.  

The functions of the QSAC would be:

• if requested by the Court of Appeal, state in writing to the Court, the QSAC’s views on the giving or reviewing of a guideline judgment;

• if requested by the Attorney-General, provide advice to the Attorney-General on matters relating to sentencing;

• provide information to the community on matters relating to sentencing to enhance community knowledge and understanding of sentencing matters;

• publish information relating to sentencing;

• research matters relating to sentencing and publish the results of the research; and

• obtain the community’s views on sentencing and matters relating to sentencing.

The Penalties and Sentences (Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council) Amendment Bill 2016 and Explanatory Notes are available from the Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel at www.legislation.qld.gov.au.

The Hansard transcript of the explanatory speech for the Bill can be accessed here.

Departmental briefing

The committee held a public departmental briefing on Monday 11 April 2016.

The briefing program, transcript, and a letter from the department clarifying the evidence at the briefing can be viewed under Related Publications tab.

Referral

On 15 March 2016, the Premier and Minister for the Arts, the Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, introduced the Penalties and Sentences (Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council) Amendment Bill 2016 into the Queensland Parliament.  In accordance with Standing Order 131 of the Standing Rules and Orders of the Legislative Assembly, the Bill was referred to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee for detailed consideration.

The committee is required to report by 29 April 2016.