Domestic Violence

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:41): Given that there have been three cases of women convicted of manslaughter in the last 10 years in relation to domestic violence incidents, and considering that the most recent case, Catherine Therese Collyer, was sentenced to 3½ years, is the minister really suggesting that Supreme Court judges will reduce the sentence that they believe justice requires to avoid an unintended consequence of the government's mandatory sentencing legislation?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:41): I am advised that, in their infinite wisdom, the judiciary take into consideration all relevant matters when making these determinations and execute their discretion accordingly, and I trust they will continue to do that.