The principle of mandatory minimum sentencing is one that invokes varying. The aim of the mandatory minimum sentence is to deter offenders by imposing minimum sentences that cannot be altered, no matter the case. The Crimes Legislation Amendment (Powers, Offences and Other Measures) Bill 2015 was listed to be debated in the House of Representatives in August . The bill includes suggestions to introduce a mandatory minimum sentence for firearms trafficking. It is commonly argued that the mandatory minimum sentence is unjust and affects judicial discretion . Those in favour of minimum sentences argue that the minimum sentence is effective in reducing crime rates when imposed .
The judiciary generally avoid the idea of mandatory minimum sentences…show more content… The Premier of NSW, Barry O'Farrell said “they would curb alcohol-related violence on Sydney's streets”. O’Farrell’s statement is linked with the idea of mandatory minimum sentencing reducing crime rates in Australia. In fact in 1997 when a mandatory minimum sentence for property crime was introduced in the Northern Territory, the rate of property crime made an unexpected incline . When the mandatory minimum sentence for property crime was abolished in 2001, the rate of property crime made a decline. Phillip Boulten, the President of the Bar Association in NSW, disapproves of mandatory minimum sentences. Boulten stated, "It isn't effective, it's not a deterrent, it just leads to more people being locked up for no good purpose," in an argument against mandatory minimum sentences. This statement is supported by what happened in the Northern Territory, when a minimum sentence was introduced for property…show more content… In 2009 mandatory minimum sentencing was introduced in Western Australia for assaulting a police officer . Former Police Minister Rob Johnson announced that they had been a 28 percent decrease in offences against police officers after the minimum sentence was introduced . In 1994 California become one of the first states in USA to introduce the three strike penalty for certain crimes that were considered serious or violent . A study conducted by George Mason University in Virginia found that, there was a 20% decrease in arrest rates for those who were on 2 strikes . The effectiveness of the minimum sentence in these examples can be used to argue against Mr Boulten’s statement, claiming that the minimum sentence is ineffective.
Many people do not support mandatory minimum sentences because it is believed to be unjust, including Richard Ackland who writes for The Age . NSW have considered imposing a mandatory minimum sentence for murdering a police officer . Ackland believes that this is unjust because it implies murdering the average individual, judges or a doctor is not as serious as murdering a police officer. It is issues like these that have led many to believe that the mandatory minimum sentences are