Will Hodgman,Premier
Today's decision by Members of Parliament to block mandatory sentencing for child sex offenders is incredibly disappointing, especially for the victims of abuse, advocates and victim support groups, and the broader Tasmanian community who strongly support this reform.
It demonstrates once again that the Labor Party are soft on crime and unwilling to stand up for victims. This is now the third time they've voted against guaranteed jail time for child sex offenders.
Labor's con-job of a position announced this week will do nothing to ensure that child sex offenders are put behind bars.
We are disappointed at the Speaker's decision to vote against the Bill. 75 per cent of Tasmanians support mandatory sentences for these heinous crimes and this is a policy we have taken to two elections and received a strong endorsement for.
The Liberal Government absolutely maintains our policy, of many years standing, that there must be mandatory jail time for child sex offenders and we will continue to pursue it.
