Question Time

Sentencing Act Reform

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General) (14:42): In my last two minutes, I will outline the second area of reform in relation to sentencing law that we're considering, and that is in relation to sentence discounting. Mr Martin has also been appointed to undertake a review of this law in relation to those who enjoy up to 40 per cent discount on their sentences for early pleas and of course in the area which is commonly known as 'supergrassing' for the disclosure of material in relation to sentencing. These are areas which we consider already clearly have not been dealt with satisfactory to the public. In relation to the—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —current issue of the question of the aged and infirmed clause, which the former Labor government put into their legislation to make provision—

Mr Malinauskas: With your support.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: Well, you should read the transcript, Leader of the Opposition, because—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: The Leader of the Opposition wasn't in our chamber at that time, but I think I spoke for about three hours—

The Hon. S.C. Mullighan: He's just the Speaker; leave him alone.

The SPEAKER: Member for Lee!

Mr Malinauskas: That's why I read the Hansard.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —and I'm happy for him to have a read of that because, although he wasn't in our chamber at the time, the member for Enfield does remember it. He remembers the Barrett judgement, which the former attorney-general relied on for this legislation, which I was outraged about. But—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: Oh, here we go.

The SPEAKER: The minister's time has expired.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: Have you read it yet?

The SPEAKER: The Leader of the Opposition.