Published Monday, 10 December, 2007 at 05:43 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Shine Appeals Sentences of Aurukun Sex Offenders
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine has announced he will be appealing the sentences given to nine offenders who pleaded guilty to the rape of a 10-year-old girl at Aurukun.
“I have received advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions that I should lodge these appeals,” Mr Shine said.
“At the same time I lodge these appeals with the Court of Appeal I will also lodge an application to have the normal period of time for an appeal extended.
“I am truly horrified by the circumstances of these offences and I have no doubt many Queenslanders will share the view that the sentences handed down in this case do not reflect community expectations.”
Mr Shine said the DPP has agreed to review sentences handed to offenders in Cape communities over the last two years.
“This case has raised concerns about the sentences handed to offenders in Cape communities and this review will determine if they have been different to sentences handed to offenders in other parts of the state,” he said.
“The DPP advised me of a precedent of the Court of Appeal that sentences should follow the same principles in all areas of Queensland.
“It is my view that people in Cape communities should be able to rely on the same justice as people elsewhere in Queensland.
“I am also concerned that the system has failed on this occasion to alert me as first law officer to a lenient sentence and I want to know if changes should be made to reduce the chance of this occurring again.”
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273
“I have received advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions that I should lodge these appeals,” Mr Shine said.
“At the same time I lodge these appeals with the Court of Appeal I will also lodge an application to have the normal period of time for an appeal extended.
“I am truly horrified by the circumstances of these offences and I have no doubt many Queenslanders will share the view that the sentences handed down in this case do not reflect community expectations.”
Mr Shine said the DPP has agreed to review sentences handed to offenders in Cape communities over the last two years.
“This case has raised concerns about the sentences handed to offenders in Cape communities and this review will determine if they have been different to sentences handed to offenders in other parts of the state,” he said.
“The DPP advised me of a precedent of the Court of Appeal that sentences should follow the same principles in all areas of Queensland.
“It is my view that people in Cape communities should be able to rely on the same justice as people elsewhere in Queensland.
“I am also concerned that the system has failed on this occasion to alert me as first law officer to a lenient sentence and I want to know if changes should be made to reduce the chance of this occurring again.”
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273