The National Network of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls strongly condemns the Country Liberal Party (CLP) plan to introduce mandatory sentencing for assaults on frontline workers.
‘This punitive legislation will do nothing to ensure safety and will instead further criminalise more Aboriginal people, exacerbating systemic injustices in the Northern Territory,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
“The criminal legal system is imploding in the Norther Territory and more draconian legislation will ensure the expedience of the collapse”, said Debbie Kilroy
On Wednesday night in Parliament, a letter signed by 170 frontline workers opposing mandatory sentencing was read out, highlighting the deep concerns of those who would be directly impacted by this legislation. Yet the following night, Laurie Zio, Member for Fannie Bay, stood in Parliament claiming that she had received 78 responses in support of mandatory sentencing in response to a Facebook call-out[1].
‘As of 10 PM Thursday night, the National Network has reviewed Laurie Zio’s public Facebook post and can confirm that her call-out has a total of 34 comments and one share. Out of these 34 comments, 23 are explicitly against mandatory sentencing, with over 296 people liking the comments opposing the proposal,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
‘This raises urgent questions: Why is the CLP so desperate to criminalise people that they appear willing, it sems, to mislead Parliament and possibly fabricate community support for this legislation? And more critically, who is holding NT Members of Parliament accountable if members of Parliament do present misleading information in the chamber?’ said Debbie Kilroy.
‘Mandatory sentencing does not deliver justice, nor does it create safer communities. Instead, it strips judges of discretion, disproportionately targets marginalised people—particularly Aboriginal communities—and ignores the evidence-based approaches frontline workers themselves are advocating for,’ said Tabitha Lean.
‘The National Network join the voices of people in the Northern Territory, including advocacy organisation, Justice Not Jails and the 170+ signatories to the letter from front line workers against mandatory sentences for frontline workers, calling on this government to abandon this reckless legislation and demand that our legislators be held accountable when they attempt to push through laws under what it seems as false pretences. The voices of frontline workers must be heard, not manipulated for political gain,’ said Tabitha Lean.
For further comment, please contact Debbie Kilroy on 0419 762 474 or Tabitha Lean on 0499 780 226
[1] As witnessed in video broadcast of Parliament tonight. Transcript will be available in Hansard on 28 March 2025.
