The ACT Government has announced the establishment of a Law and Sentencing Advisory Council to advise the Government on areas of potential law reform, as well as provide expert advice on sentencing.
The Council will perform a dual role, with its primary purpose to support the Government to keep the law current and relevant for the ACT community. The Council will also have a sentencing advisory role, which may include the collection, analysis and publication of data on sentencing trends and practices.
The establishment of the Council will be funded out of the ACT’s Confiscated Assets Trust.
It will include representation from the community and justice sectors, including ACT Policing, ACT Courts, the ACT Bar Association, and the ACT Law Society.
Attorney-General, Shane Rattenbury (pictured) said members of the Council will be appointed in their personal capacity to reflect diverse and expert perspectives on law reform and will include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives.
“Sentencing is an important function of courts and one that is of particular interest to the community,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“Instead of a once off review, this council will be a lasting mechanism that will be both proactive and reactive in considering sentencing issues.
“The Council will undertake community and stakeholder consultation, and conduct and publish research, in order to make recommendations on law reform and sentencing issues referred to it.
“By working collaboratively, the Council will make informed recommendations for systemic improvements on issues that matter to Canberrans,” he said.
