Published Wednesday, 12 December, 2007 at 04:03 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Shine Announces Independent Review of Cape Sentences
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine has announced today that distinguished barrister Peter Davis SC has agreed to conduct an independent review of sentences handed down in trials for sex offences in Cape York communities.
“I was horrified by the comments made during the sentencing of the perpetrators of a vicious gang rape of an Indigenous girl in Aurukun,” Mr Shine said.
“An independent review of sentences in Cape York sex offence cases is essential to ensure there is no systematic failure of the justice system in the Cape.
“I am pleased that Mr Davis has accepted my request to conduct this review.
“He has vast experience in criminal law, including most recently as prosecuting Counsel for the Attorney-General in relation to the death of Mulrunji on Palm Island in 2004. He also assisted Sir Laurence Street in relation to providing a second opinion of the decision to not prosecute in that case.
“Mr Davis will review court documents and sentences in Cape York sex offence cases, and will then provide a report to me on whether the sentences handed to sex offenders in the Cape are in line with community expectations.
“Mr Davis will consider the sentences in light of comparative cases, and taking into account community expectations, will consider whether the sentences appear adequate in all the circumstances of the case.
The Attorney General said the review is essential to ensure that equal justice is administered throughout Queensland.
“The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions will collate information on the sentences handed down, Judges’ sentencing remarks, defence and prosecution submissions and any other relevant material such as appeals against individual sentences in cases involving sex offences in the Cape over the last two years,” Mr Shine said.
“The Office of the DPP will then hand that information over to Mr Davis, so that he can review it independently.
The Attorney General said Mr Davis will receive relevant documentation from the DPP by the end of the year and he has asked Mr Davis to report to him by early February 2008.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273
“I was horrified by the comments made during the sentencing of the perpetrators of a vicious gang rape of an Indigenous girl in Aurukun,” Mr Shine said.
“An independent review of sentences in Cape York sex offence cases is essential to ensure there is no systematic failure of the justice system in the Cape.
“I am pleased that Mr Davis has accepted my request to conduct this review.
“He has vast experience in criminal law, including most recently as prosecuting Counsel for the Attorney-General in relation to the death of Mulrunji on Palm Island in 2004. He also assisted Sir Laurence Street in relation to providing a second opinion of the decision to not prosecute in that case.
“Mr Davis will review court documents and sentences in Cape York sex offence cases, and will then provide a report to me on whether the sentences handed to sex offenders in the Cape are in line with community expectations.
“Mr Davis will consider the sentences in light of comparative cases, and taking into account community expectations, will consider whether the sentences appear adequate in all the circumstances of the case.
The Attorney General said the review is essential to ensure that equal justice is administered throughout Queensland.
“The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions will collate information on the sentences handed down, Judges’ sentencing remarks, defence and prosecution submissions and any other relevant material such as appeals against individual sentences in cases involving sex offences in the Cape over the last two years,” Mr Shine said.
“The Office of the DPP will then hand that information over to Mr Davis, so that he can review it independently.
The Attorney General said Mr Davis will receive relevant documentation from the DPP by the end of the year and he has asked Mr Davis to report to him by early February 2008.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273