The Andrews Labor Government will today introduce new legislation to ensure anyone who doesn’t reveal the location of their victim’s body will never get parole.
The changes to the Corrections Act 1986 create a presumption against parole when a person is convicted of taking a person’s life and does not assist in locating the body.
The bill is comprehensive, covering murder, conspiracy to murder, manslaughter, and accessory to murder.
Sentencing reforms are also part of the law changes, to facilitate greater cooperation with authorities by convicted felons, and bring closure to the families of victims sooner.
By amending the Sentencing Act, the courts will have to take into account at the time of sentencing whether the whereabouts of the body is known, and if the offender has cooperated in locating the body.
The Labor Government’s broader set of offences, together with a thorough sentencing component, will mean more families who have lost a loved one to shocking crimes have a better chance of getting justice.
These changes will apply to anyone currently in jail and anyone who commits these crimes in the future.
These latest reforms ensure Victoria continues to have the toughest set of parole laws in the country.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“Offenders who refuse to cooperate with police to reveal the location of their victims compound the pain of the victim’s loved ones and don’t deserve parole.”
“Victims of crime come first, now and always. Our comprehensive laws will make sure that killers are under constant pressure to reveal the location of their victim.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Corrections Gayle Tierney
“We have the toughest parole laws in the country, and for those who don’t assist in locating the body of their victim, they will serve their full sentence.”
“Knowing the location of the body or the remains of a loved one is something every family has a right to expect and these laws are designed to help achieve it.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020