Wednesday 12th April 2017
An elected Liberal Nationals government would take a tough approach to Victoria’s sentencing laws.
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said Victorians should feel safe in their homes but after two years of Labor the state’s crime rate has skyrocketed by 20 per cent.
Mr Walsh said it was clear a different approach was needed.
“Even the Police Minister has admitted that Victorians don’t feel safe in their own homes under the Andrews Labor Government “ Mr Walsh said.
“Rather than more of the same soft on crime approach an elected Liberal Nationals government would take a tough approach and introduce mandatory minimum jail sentences for the most dangerous offenders in our community.
“Violent repeat offenders shouldn’t be getting second third and fourth chances to commit violent crimes – no more excuses no more second chances its two strikes and you’re in.”
The minimum sentences would apply to 11 violent offences including rape aggravated burglary manslaughter by single punch or strike and murder.
Mr Walsh said these changes would extend to all areas of our community.
“Perpetrators of domestic violence who think they can ignore the lessons of earlier violent behaviour will face long sentences for their contempt for our laws “ Mr Walsh said.
This announcement is part of a broader suite of policies that will be needed to make Victoria safe.
It joins earlier announcements by the Liberal Nationals on bail sentencing police resourcing and youth justice.