A bill introduced today by Corrections and Justice Health Minister Emma Davidson, aims to improve rehabilitation outcomes for people sentenced in the criminal justice system.
The Crimes (Sentence Administration) Amendment Bill 2024 will allow offenders to be credited with community service hours when circumstances beyond their control prevent them from completing those hours.
Minister Davidson said the amendment will ensure people who willingly show up for their community work orders are recognised for their rehabilitative efforts.
"This is about better balancing accountability with fairness. Sometimes people are totally committed to their community service, but it may be cancelled due to things such as severe weather conditions. They put the time in to show up and it's important we recognise that as part of their rehabilitative journey," Minister Davidson said.
"Crediting these hours does that. To balance this with their individual accountability, the bill caps the number of hours that can be credited at 10% of the total number of hours to be completed.
"This is a fair and balanced reform for people who are doing the right thing by showing up for their community service work."
Before making a decision to credit community service work hours, the Director-General or a delegate will be required to consider the purposes of sentencing, which include both promoting the rehabilitation of the offender and recognising the harm done to the victim of the crime and the community.
