Nicholas Cowdery - John Marsden Lecture 2012: where to for the criminal law in NSW?

8/13/2019 Nicholas Cowdery - John Marsden Lecture 2012: where to for the criminal law in NSW?

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JOHN MARSDEN MEMORIAL LECTURE 2012

Sydney, 15 November 2012

___________________________________

The times they are a-changing:

where to for the criminal law in NSW?

Nicholas Cowdery AM QC FAAL

ormer D!re"#or o$ %&b'!" %ro(e"!on(, NS)

____________________________________________________

T*e r&mb'!n+ (o&nd( yo& "n *er $rom be'o- #*!( M(on!" Cen#re re no# on'y $rom #*e Sydney

&nder+ro&nd r!'-y . !# !('(o #*e (o&nd o$ Jo*n Mr(den #&rn!n+ re(#'e(('y !n *!( +rve/ To *ve

$ormer D%% de'!ver #*e Jo*n Mr(den Memor!' Le"#&re re''y !( (!+n #*# #*e #!me( re "*n+!n+

. b I *oe, # 'e(# !n #*# re(e"#, $or #*e be##er/

I# !( +re# r!v!'e+e #o be b'e !n #*!( -y #o "no-'ed+e Jo*n3( d*eren"e #o r!n"!'e !n #*e

"ond&"# o$ *!( "r!m!n' '- r"#!"e/ I no- $rom o$#en !n$&', d!re"# e4er!en"e #*# *e -( '-y(

"on"erned #o (ee #*# #*e "r!m!n' '- -( '!ed ror!#e'y nd, o$ "o&r(e, bene$!"!''y #o *!("'!en#(/ One "n on'y !m+!ne *o- *e -o&'d *ve re"#ed #o (ome o$ #*e "*n+e( ro&nd &( #

re(en#/

e"&(e "*n+e !( !n #*e !r . nd !n (ome (e"#( !# *( 'redy 'nded/ O$ "o&r(e, #*e "r!m!n' '-

!( !n "on(#n# (##e o$ "*n+e nd (o !# (*o&'d be/ A( (o"!e#y deve'o( nd "*n+e( #*e r&'e( by

-*!"* -e '!ve need #o be d#ed/ I# -!'' &(&''y be #*e "(e #*# #*e '- "*n+e( '!##'e be*!nd #*e

"e o$ (o"!' "*n+e nd #*# !( no# bd #*!n+/ T*e '- (*o&'d be (ome-*# "on(erv#!ve !n !#(

deve'omen#/ (ome#!me( !# 6&m( *ed #oo re"!!##e'y, &(&''y !n re(on(e #o (ome (*or#

#erm o'!#!"' !mer#!ve/ I# !( #o be *oed, o$ "o&r(e, #*# '' "*n+e e7&'( !mrovemen# . b

re+re##b'y #*# !( no# '-y( (o/

T*!( even!n+ I !n#end #o rev!e- (ome o$ #*e "*n+e( -e re re(en#'y e4er!en"!n+ . b no# '', by

ny men(/ T*ere !( m&"* e'(e #o d!("&(( #*# "nno# be ddre((ed !n #*e #!me v!'b'e #on!+*#/ A( I

#o&"* on $!ve re( 8nd I "n do (o on'y br!e$'y9 I -o&'d (!'en#'y o(e $e- 7&e(#!on( 'on+ #*e -y/

T*e re( re b!' '-(, (en#en"!n+ '-(, #*e r!+*# #o (!'en"e, (er!o&( v!o'en# o$$ender( nd dr&+ '-(/

Some o$ #*e 7&e(#!on( #*# r!(e re:

I( "*n+e re7&!red;

Doe( r!n"!'e (&or# !#; Are r!n"!'e( be!n+ v!o'#ed by "*n+e or even by re"#!on +!n(# "*n+e, er*( !n

ree#!#!ve -y(;

)*# !mrovemen#( -!'' "*n+e me; )*# dd!#!on' *rm( -!'' !# "&(e;


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AIL REORM

T*!( &d!en"e -o&'d no- #*# !n #*e "r!m!n' 6&(#!"e ro"e(( !n o&r 6&r!(d!"#!on er(on rre(#ed

nd "*r+ed -!#* n o$$en"e !( bro&+*# rom#'y be$ore m+!(#r#e !n order $or *!( or *er

d!(o(!#!on end!n+ "o&r# *er!n+ #o be de"!ded . -!'' *e or (*e be remnded !n "&(#ody #o -!#

#*e ne4# "o&r# d#e, or be re'e(ed on b!'; And !$ re'e(ed, on -*# #erm( nd "ond!#!on(; S!m!'r

de"!(!on( need #o be mde # vr!o&( '#er (#+e( o$ #*e *er!n+ o$ "r!m!n' m##er/ I#3( very

!mor#n# !((&e/

e$ore 1 !n NS) '' #*o(e ro"eed!n+( -ere de'# -!#* &nder r!n"!'e( "re#ed 8-!#* very

m!nor 'e+!('#!ve "on#r!b!on9 by #*e "ommon '-. '- mde by 6&d+e( ( #*e "o&r#( de' -!#*

!nd!v!d&' "(e( nd (&er!or "o&r#( !den#!$y nd "on$!rm #*e r&'e( #*# (*o&'d 'y +ener''y !n

r#!"&'r "!r"&m(#n"e(/ or '' #*e bene$!#( #*e "ommon '- *( bro&+*# &(, *o-ever, !# "n 'ed

#o &n"er#!n#y nd !n"on(!(#en"y, 7&'!#!e( no# bene$!"!' #o "r!m!n' 6&(#!"e nd #o "omm&n!#y

"on$!den"e !n #*e ro"e((/ !n #*e &r(&!# o$ "er#!n#y nd "on(!(#en"y, -e m&(# be "re$&' #o

d*ere #o r!n"!'e nd "# '-y( !n #*e +ener' &b'!" !n#ere(#/

!' !( "ond!#!on' '!ber#y/ H!(#or!"''y nd #*eore#!"''y !# !( #*e re'e(e o$ (omeone $rom #*e '-$&'

"&(#ody o$ '- en$or"emen# o$$!"er( !n#o #*e "&(#ody o$ (&re#!e(, er(on( -*o re bo&nd by "on#r"#

#o rod&"e #*# er(on #o n(-er #*e "*r+e nd -*o -!'' (&$$er $or$e!# !$ #*ey do no#/ In r"#!"e

#*e(e dy( !n mny "(e( (&re#y my no# be re7&!red $rom o#*er er(on(, b "ond!#!on( my be

!mo(ed on #*e ""&(ed er(on !n"'&d!n+ "ond!#!on( re7&!r!n+ $or$e!#&re !$ no# "om'!ed -!#*/

I# m&(# be "'er'y &nder(#ood 8nd !# !( o$#en $or+o##en by "ommen##or(9 #*# b!' *( no#*!n+

-*#(oever #o do -!#* &n!(*men#, -*!"* "ome(#o be "on(!dered on'y $#er "onv!"#!on/ A er(on

be!n+ "on(!dered $or b!' (#!'' "rr!e( #*e re(&m#!on o$ !nno"en"e, -*!"* !( no# +'!b ('o+n/

Trd!#!on''y #*ere re #*ree #e(#( #*# m&(# be '!ed be$ore n order !( mde +rn#!n+ or

-!#**o'd!n+ b!':

)*# re #*e ro(e"#( o$ #*e ""&(ed er!n+ # "o&r# #*e ne4# #!me *e or (*e !( re7&!red

#o do (o; I( #*ere re' r!( #*# #*e ""&(ed -!'' (ee #o $'ee #o vo!d #*e "on(e7&en"e( o$

"o&r# "#!on;

I( #*ere ro(e"# #*# #*e ""&(ed -!'' "omm!# $&r#*er o$$en"e( !$ re'e(ed !n#o #*e

"omm&n!#y;

I( #*ere ro(e"# #*#, !$ re'e(ed, #*e ""&(ed -!'' !n#er$ere -!#* ev!den"e or (ee #o

!n#!m!d#e -!#ne((e(;

AIL ACT

In 1 (m'' 'e+' revo'!on o""&rred !n Ne- So* )'e( -*en #*e Bail Act 1 8No 1?19 -(

((ed by #*e NS) %r'!men#/ I# -( revo'!onry be"&(e, $or #*e $!r(# #!me, !# on $!rm

(##ory b(!( #*e ro"ed&re( #*# -o&'d 'y #o b!' nd #*e r!n"!'e( #*# -o&'d be '!ed by

#*e *or!#!e( ve(#ed -!#* o-er/ I# -( "od!$!"#!on o$ b!' '-, b (#!'' (&b6e"# #o !n#erre##!on

8!$ re7&!red9 !n #*e '!+*# o$ #*e "ommon '- r!n"!'e( #*# *d evo'ved/ T*e A"# -( rom#ed

(#ron+'y by 'r+e !n"re(e !n #*e n&mber o$ er(on( be!n+ remnded !n "&(#ody nd re$&(ed b!', !n

r# be"&(e o$ "ommon '- &n"er#!n#y, b!n 'r+er r# be"&(e o$rev!'!n+ *r(*ne(( bo #*e


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+rn#!n+ o$ b!'/ T*e A"# -( ne# nd "omre*en(!ve #re#men# o$ #*e !((&e( re'#!n+ #o b!' nd !#

(&rv!ved #*# -y $or (ome #!me/

"&rren#'y #*ere !( m!(*m(* o$ rov!(!on( !n #*e Bail Act, bro&+*# bo by !n"e((n# m!nor

mendmen#( #o #*e A"#, e(e"!''y !n #*e '(# 15 yer( or (o/ T*ey (eem #o *ve been #*e rod&"# o$

#-o $or"e(/ T*e $!r(# -( #*e '#e nd &n'men#ed +overnmen#3( +ener' #o&+* on "r!meB ro"*#*# "on$'#ed b!' -!#* &n!(*men# nd d!re"#ed !#( 'e+!('#!ve "#!on !n#o m!n+ !# !n"re(!n+'y

d!$$!"&'# #o ob#!n b!'/ T*e (e"ond -( #*e +overnmen#3( (en(!#!v!#y #o &b'!"!#y nd re((&re $rom

#*e rd!o (*o" 6o"(, #b'o!d med! nd #*e %o'!"e A((o"!#!on #*# (- &n"oord!n#ed, !''

"on(!dered, !e"eme' 'e+!('#!ve re(on(e( #o !nd!v!d&' "(e( 8(&"* ( 6&ven!'e( bre"*!n+ b!'

"ond!#!on(, bre!n+ "&r$e-( or "omm!##!n+ $&r#*er o$$en"e( -*!'e on b!' nd ##r"#!n+ #b'o!d

med! &b'!"!#y9/ I# -( mde more d!$$!"&'# #o ob#!n b!' by en'r+!n+ #*e "#e+ory o$ "(e( "rry!n+

re(&m#!on +!n(# b!', de"re(!n+ #*e "(e( -*ere #*ere -ere re(&m#!on( !n $vo&r o$ b!'

nd re7&!r!n+ e4"e#!on' "!r"&m(#n"e( #o be demon(#r#ed !n n ever+ro-!n+ n&mber o$

(!#!on(/ %ro"ed&r' ob(#"'e( -ere '(o '"ed !n #*e -y o$ b!' '!"n#(/

A( -e'' ( "re#!n+ "on$&(!on nd d!(order !n #*e '!"#!on o$ #*e A"# nd m!n+ #*e #( o$

order'y b!' de#erm!n#!on 'mo(# !mo((!b'e $or o'!"e nd "o&r#(, #*ere -ere "on(e7&en"e( $or #*e

r#e o$ !mr!(onmen# !n NS) 8(*de( o$ 19/

A# #*e A&(#r'! nd Ne- e'nd Cr!#!"' Cr!m!no'o+y Con$eren"e on 2 J&'y 2010 I (!d #*!( bo #*e

(!#!on # #*# #!me:

!n NS) 25F o$ #*e r!(on o&'#!on !( &n(en#en"ed . on remnd/ In G!"#or! #*e $!+&re !(

1>F 8-*ere #*e de'y( !n "om!n+ #o #r!', *o-ever, re (!+n!$!"n#'y +re#er #*n !n NS)9/

T*e !' A"# 1 8NS)9 -( ((ed (&b(#n#!''y #o ddre(( b&r+eon!n+ n&mber o$

r!(oner( on remnd/ %re(&m#!on( !n $vo&r o$ b!' -ere en"#ed !n (ome "(e( nd

o$$en"e( nd (!#!on( (#!&'#ed -*ere no re(&m#!on '!ed or #*ere -(

re(&m#!on +!n(# b!'/ )e (eem #o *ve "ome $&'' "!r"'e -!#* #*e ro+re((!ve'y 'e+!('#ed

remov' o$ re(&m#!on( !n $vo&r o$ b!' nd #*e en"#men# o$ re(&m#!on( +!n(# .

o$#en !n re(on(e #o !nd!v!d&' nd #y!"' "(e( #*# *ve re"e!ved &b'!"!#y/ Mny eo'e

re$&(ed b!' re &'#!m#e'y "7&!##ed nd mny re"e!ve non"&(#od!' d!(o(!#!on( o$ #*e!r

"(e(/ T*ere !( no re"o&r(e #o "omen(#!on !n (&"* "!r"&m(#n"e( 8( #*ere !( !n (ome o#*er

"o&n#r!e(, e(e"!''y !n S"nd!nv!9/

T*e ed!#or!'( !n #*e Sydney Morn!n+ Her'd 8SMH9 nd T*e A+e o$ 20 Ar!' 2010 *d

re$erred #o #*e D!(er!n+ r!+*# o$ b!'B nd #o #*e m##er( r!(ed bove/ T*ey (!d: As

the NSW government steadily piles on new categories of serious crime in response to the

latest crime scare, ramps up mandatory sentences, restricts bail eligibility, and most

recently, throws away the key for convicts perceived as unrepentant, we are entitled to ask

what returns in safety we are getting from our billiondollarayear !ail industry" #n a more

humane calculation, we should be asking what damage is being done to individuals and

society by this pursuit of vengeance #f course, there will always be a few who go out and

commit new crimes while on bail or parole, and set the tabloid dogs barking again at the

Attorney $eneral" %f !ail worked as reform, the lock&emup philosophy might have more


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appeal" 'nfortunately, the statistics show NSW also has a much higher recidivism rate than

(ictoria")

T*e !' Re$orm A''!n"e !n NS) *( been (e# & #o ddre(( #*e(e !((&e(, *eded by

$ormer m+!(#r#e/

A NS) %r'!men#ry r!e$!n+ %er1e4m!ne( #*e b!' !((&e !n +re# de#!'/ I# "on"'&de(:

*hanges to bail laws since ++ have followed the dominant trend of making it more

difficult for accused persons to obtain bail- both in relation to a range of offences, and where

the accused person is regarded as a &repeat offender." /hese changes have been !ustified on

the basis that they provide greater protection for the community against the risk that such

persons will commit offences while awaiting trial" 0owever, critics have argued that the

changes have largely been ad hoc responses to particular crime incidents, and that a good

case has now been made out for reforms that have undermined an accused person.s right to

the presumption of innocence")

I# !( (#!'' #*e "(e !n 2012 #*# bo 25F o$ #*e NS) r!(on o&'#!on re &n"onv!"#ed, b!' re$&(ed/

Abo one #*!rd o$ d&'#( on remnd 8!e re$&(ed b!'9 -!'' be "7&!##ed or (en#en"ed #o non"&(#od!'

en'#!e( . nd #*ere !( no "omen(#!on v!'b'e #o #*em $or #*e!r #!me !n "&(#ody/

More #*n *'$ #*e 6&ven!'e( !n "&(#ody re #*ere no# be"&(e #*ey *ve been $o&nd +&!'#y o$ n

o$$en"e, b be"&(e b!' *( been re$&(ed/ T*ey re !nvo'&n#ry (#&den#( o$ #*e &n!ver(!#y o$

"r!meB ( "on(e7&en"e/

REORM

On < J&ne 2011 #*e +overnmen# nno&n"ed rev!e- o$ b!' '- by #*e L- Re$orm Comm!((!on2/ I#-( or!+!n''y d&e #o reor# by #*e end o$ November 2011 b, $o''o-!n+ $&r#*er (e"!$!" re7&e(#( by

#*e A##orney ener' $or dd!#!on' !n7&!ry, #*# d#e -( e4#ended #o 2< ebr&ry 2012/

1Bail law: developments, debate and statistics, Briefing Paper 5/2010, Lenny Roth, NSW Parliamentary

Library Research Service, June 2010

2Terms of reference: %&r(&n# #o (e"#!on 10 o$ #*e 1aw 2eform *ommission Act1


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5

On 1@ J&ne 2012 #*e A##orney ener' #b'ed !n %r'!men# #*e L- Re$orm Comm!((!on3( 8LRC9

Reor# on !', Reor# 1@@: (ee

http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/lrc/ll_lrc.nsf/pages/LRC_r133toc

Addre((!n+ #*e &ro(e( o$ b!' #*e Comm!((!on (!d !n #*e E4e"!ve S&mmry o$ #*e Reor#:

Background and principles 3*hapter +4

"5 Bail law is part of the criminal !ustice system" %t provides the framework for decisions by

the police and the courts concerning the detention or release of a person while proceedings

are pending"

"6 Bail law has a role in implementing three of the purposes of the criminal !ustice

system- the protection and welfare of the community by preventing further serious

offending7 the protection of particular individuals who might be at risk7 and

protecting the integrity of the trial process, by ensuring that the accused personappears at court to be dealt with according to law and by avoiding interference with

the course of !ustice" #ur recommendations are directed to the promotion of these

purposes"

"8 #ther functions of the criminal !ustice system are not the province of bail law" Such

functions include the denunciation of offending behaviour, the punishment of

offenders, and deterring others from offending"

"9 /he criminal !ustice system has embedded within it the value of personal liberty and a

suite of cautionary concepts and principles which recognise and protect the value of liberty"

/hese include the presumption of innocence, no detention without legal cause, nopunishment without conviction by due process, a fair trial, individualised !ustice and

consistency in decision making, and the special consideration re:uired in relation to young

people"

"; /he community has high e


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="> %n a new Bail Act, the scheme of presumptions, e


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public grasp of legal principles and historic protections to an unhealthy and unhelpful

vengefulness and disregard for individual rights, so long as the individual is someone

unknown to the observer"

&/he criminal !ustice system has embedded within it the value of personal liberty,. says the

1aw 2eform *ommission findings tabled in ?arliament last week" &/hese include the

presumption of innocence, no detention without legal cause, no punishment without

conviction by due process, a fair trial, individualised !usticeand consistency in decision

making, and the special consideration re:uired in relation to young people."

ine aspirations" And, yet, they seem increasingly to evoke characterisation of their

upholders as weak, soft, woollyheaded and reckless")

THE UTURE

T*e LRC3( Reor# re(en#( "ome''!n+ r+&men#( $or re$orm o$ #*e NS) b!' '-(/ I# dr-( ##en#!on

#o #*e $&ndmen#' r!n"!'e(, #*e ro"e((e( #*# m&(# be v!'b'e nd #*e mnner !n -*!"* #*e

o-er( (*o&'d be e4er"!(ed/

T*e (o$#B or #o&+*B on "r!me r+&men#( -!'' no do&b# "on#!n&e 8!# !( #oo m&"* #o *oe #*#

r#!on'!#y m!+*# rev!' #*ro&+*o #*e "omm&n!#y3( -!de rn+e o$ "ommen##or(9 . b no#*er

('o+n, (mr#B on "r!me, need( #o be *erd more o$#en/ )*en '-(, (&"* ( #*e Bail Act, be"ome

!n(#r&men#( o$ !n6&(#!"e 8!n #*!( "(e ( re(&'# o$ !n"e((n# o'!#!"' medd'!n+9, !# !( #!me $or "*n+e/

T*e LRC Reor# rov!de( n oor#&n!#y $or (&"* re$orm nd !# !( #o be *oed #*# #*e overnmen#

-!'' (e!e #*e oor#&n!#y #o "# !n r!n"!'ed -y/

SENTENCIN LA) REORM

Sen#en"!n+ '- *( '(o been v!"#!m o$ !n"e((n# 'e+!('#!ve medd'!n+ over #*e '(# #-o de"de( or

(o/ I ven#&re #o (&++e(# #*# &nder #*e re(en# rov!(!on(, !n"'&d!n+ #*e re7&!remen#( o$ #*e *rimes

3Sentencing ?rocedure4 Act 1


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1

Re"en#'y #*e NS) overnmen# nno&n"ed #*# !# -o&'d !n#rod&"e 'e+!('#!on #o !m'emen#

re"ommend#!on o$ #*e Sen#en"!n+Co&n"!' Reor# QH!+* R!( G!o'en# O$$ender(Q ''o-!n+ $or

"on#!n&!n+ de#en#!on ndor e4#ended (&erv!(!on $or (&"* o$$ender(/

T*e overnmen#P( nno&n"emen# -( "on$!ned #o on'y one o$ #*e(even re"ommend#!on( !n #*e

Sen#en"!n+ Co&n"!'P( Reor#/I# !( !mor#n# #o no#e #*# #*e Sen#en"!n+ Co&n"!'P( re"ommend#!on((*o&'d be (een ("omr!(!n+ "+e o$ roo('( #o de' -!#* #*e !((&e o$ v!o'en# o$$ender(, (o !$

re"ommend#!on $o&r o$ #*e Reor# !( #o be !m'emen#ed,(o (*o&'d be #*e o#*er re"ommend#!on(/

T*e Reor# -( re(&'# o$ e4#en(!ve re(er"* 8!n"'&d!n+ !n#o re+!me( oer#!n+ !n o#*er

6&r!(d!"#!on(9 nd"on(&'##!on, nd #*e Co&n"!'P( o(!#!on -( #*# rn+e o$ me(&re( be !n#rod&"ed

!n order#o de' -!#* #*e (en#en"!n+ o$ *!+* r!( v!o'en# o$$ender( 8HRGO(9 !n "omre*en(!ve

$(*!on/

T*e re"ommend#!on(, !n #*e!r en#!re#y, -ere:

> Any sentencing or postcustody management option should apply a two

stage process to defining highrisk violent offenders, defining them asoffenders who-

a4 are convicted of a serious indictable offence that involves the use of,

attempted use of, or shows a propensity towards, serious

interpersonal violence7 and

b4 have been assessed as presenting a high risk of violent reoffending

in accordance with the most accurate riskassessment tools

available at the time of assessment, in con!unction with an individual

casebycase clinical assessment"

2ecommendation +

+ 3a4 Any S?*I# for 02(#s should-

be sub!ect to periodic review7

be sub!ect to review on application by the offender, at any

time, on the basis that as a result of a change in circumstances,

the offender is no longer a 02(#7

form part of a broader management framework for 02(#s,

which includes targeted rehabilitation"

3b4 Any legislation implementing a S?*I# should be sub!ect to a

re:uirement that it be reviewed as soon as possible after 5 years of

operation"

2ecommendation 5

5 3a4/he $overnment should introduce legislation whereby State

$overnment agencies are re:uired to-

cooperate with other agencies to provide appropriate

services to 02(#s sub!ect to community supervision orders7

and

share information with other agencies to facilitate such

support7

and such a scheme should be e


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2ecommendation 6

6 /he $overnment should introduce a continuing detention and eD8; 3NSW4 should be repealed"

2ecommendation ;

; 3a4 /he *rimes 3Sentencing ?rocedure4 Act >DDD 3NSW4 should be

amended so as to make it clear that, sub!ect to 3d4 below, the court

can, from the commencement of that amendment, impose a life

sentence for any offence that attracts life as a maDDD 3NSW4

should be amended so as to e


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1?

DRU LA) REORM

o& my *ve *erd #*!( yer o$ +ro& nmed A&(#r'!21 8---/&(#r'!21/or+/&9, #*!n#n

nd 'obby +ro& b(ed !n Cnberr nd r&n by (en!or ve#ern( o$ +overnmen#, b&(!ne(( nd #*ero$e((!on(/ In Ar!' !# &b'!(*ed !#( $!r(# reor# $rom ro&nd#b'e d!("&((!on *e'd !n Jn&ry 2012:

T*e %romo#!on o$ I''!"!# Dr&+( !( K!''!n+ nd Cr!m!n'!(!n+ o&r C*!'dren nd -e re Le##!n+ !# HenB/

In Se#ember, $#er (e"ond ro&nd#b'e, !# &b'!(*ed: A'#ern#!ve( #o %ro*!b!#!on . I''!"!# Dr&+(:

*o- -e "n (#o !''!n+ nd "r!m!n'!(!n+ yo&n+ A&(#r'!n(B/

T*e reor#( (*o- "onv!n"!n+'y #*# ro*!b!#!on o$ dr&+( *( $!'ed nd #*# #*ere re be##er o'!"!e(

-e "n do# $or +re#er bene$!#( $or (o"!e#y +ener''y/ I (*o&'d d!("'o(e #*# I #oo r# !n bo#* o$

#*e ro&nd#b'e d!("&((!on(/ I (*'' re#&rn #o A&(#r'!213( (e"ond reor# nd #o (ome o$ !#( (e"!$!"

re"ommend#!on(/

CRIMINAL LA)

I m "r!m!n' '-yer/ I *ve r"#!(ed !n #*e "r!m!n' '-, one -y or no#*er, $or ner'y 5 yer( !n

(ever' 6&r!(d!"#!on( . $or #*e ro(e"!on, $or #*e de$en"e, $or er(on( "&+*# & !n #*e "r!m!n'

ro"e(( !n vr!o&( -y(/ T*e "r!m!n' '- !( b!# '!e n &nder#er/ I# "ome( 'on+ $#er #*e

&n'e(n# even#, #!d!e( & ( be(# !# "n !n -y( #*# re +ener''y ""e#b'e #o #*e "omm&n!#y

nd move( on/ I# doe( no# *ve #*e ""!#y nd (*o&'d no# be e4e"#ed #o (o've (o"!' rob'em(,

m&"* 'e(( *e'#* rob'em(/ I# !( !n mny re(e"#( b'&n# !n(#r&men# '!ed #o o$$ender(/ )*!'e -e

do #ry #o me !# more e$$e"#!ve, yo& "nno# me b'&n# !n(#r&men# (*rer 6&(# by m!n+ !#

*ev!er . (o, $or e4m'e, #' o$ !n"re(!n+ en'#!e( #o de#er o$$en"e( !(, $or #*e mo(# r#, 6&(#

-*!(#'!n+ !n #*e -!nd/

T*e roo(!#!on( #*# '!e be*!nd #*e d!("&((!on o$ #*!( (&b6e"# re #*e(e/

T*ere *ve '-y( been, re nd $orever -!'' be dr&+( . (&b(#n"e( #*# '#er #*e mood nd

#*e m!nd -*en !n+e(#ed 8nd *ve *y(!"' e$$e"#(, ( -e''9/

T*ere *ve '-y( been, re nd $orever -!'' be er(on( -n#!n+ #o "on(&me dr&+(/ T*e

re(on( $or #*# re m&'#!$r!o&(/ Some #e dr&+( #o re'4, (ome #o *e!+*#en #*e!r

e4"!#emen# (ome #e #*em #o e("e, (ome #o en++e -!#* #*e!r eer( (ome #e #*em #o

!d !n "on#en#ed re$'e"#!on, (ome #o rve/ Some de'!ber#e'y "*oo(e #o "on(&me, (ome re

(&"ed or dr!$# !n#o !#/ Mny be"ome dd!"#ed/

)!#* demnd nd (&'y, #*ere !( mre#/

T*e mre# $or (ome dr&+( 8nd #*e!r "on(&m#!on9 !( &n'-$&'/

%er(on( !nvo'ved !n #*e mre# #*ere$ore r&n r!( o$ o$$!"!' de#e"#!on, ro(e"!on nd

&n!(*men#/

T*ey "*oo(e #o r&n #*# r!( be"&(e, !n #*e "(e o$ (&'!er(, #*ey re b'e #o re *!+*

ro$!#( $rom #*e!r mre# "#!v!#y 8 !'o o$ *ero!n "o(#( 1,000 !n n+o nd (e''( $or

@00,000 !n Sydney9 "onver(e'y, #*ey "omen(#e $or #*e r!( by "*r+!n+ *!+* mr&(/

Con(&mer( r&n #*e r!( o$ !nvo'vemen# !n #*e mre# be"&(e #*e!r de(!re $or dr&+( "nno#

be (#!($!ed by o#*er men(/


17/22

1=

Con(&mer( re o$#en &nb'e #o mee# #*e *!+* r!"e( "*r+ed $rom #*e!r o-n re(o&r"e(, (o

#*ey "ome 'oo!n+ $or yo&r( nd m!ne/ Se"ondry "r!me !( "re#ed/

Con(&mer( re '(o # r!( o$ o$$!"!' (n"#!on, (o #*ey "on(&me !n (e"re#/ T*o(e "ond!#!on(

en"o&r+e #*e &(e o$ &n*y+!en!" me#*od( !n &n*y+!en!" "!r"&m(#n"e(/ D!(e(e nd de#*

"n even#e/

Con(&mer( !n #*!( &nre+&'#ed mre# re '(o no# #*e bene$!"!r!e( o$ mre# nd rod&"#

"on#ro'( . #*ey '!#er''y do no# no- -*# #*ey re "on(&m!n+/

In #*e men#!me, (&""e(($&' (&'!er( "n (ome#!me( y '- en$or"er( #o #&rn b'!nd eye

#o #*e!r "#!v!#!e(/ Corr!on breed( $rom *!+* ro$!#(/

T*e(e roo(!#!on( (eem #o me #o be &nr+&b'e/ T*ey &nder!n n !''e+' mre# #*# "re#e(

*rm dd!#!on' #o #*e *rm 'redy o((!b'e !n dr&+ "on(&m#!on . dd!#!on' *rm( o$ d!(e(e,

de#*, (e"ondry "r!me nd o$$!"!' "orr!on/ And "r!m!n'( "on#!n&e #o ro$!# *&+e'y $rom #*!(

!''!"!# mre# nd #o d!ver(!$y !n#o o#*er "r!m!n' "ond&"# -!#*o re(#r!n#/ )e *ve "re#ed #*e

"ond!#!on( $or "r!m!n'( #o $'o&r!(* by #*e '-( #*# -e *ve mde . nd #*en -e (end v(#

mo&n#( o$ &b'!" re(o&r"e( ##em#!n+ #o (#o #*em/ )o&'d !# no# be be##er #o reven# mo(# o$

#*!( $rom *en!n+ !n #*e $!r(# '"e; T*e on'y -y -e "n do #*# !( #o #e over #*e mre#

o&r(e've(: 'e+!('#e, re+&'#e, "on#ro' nd #4 #*e ro"e(( . nd +&!de !# !n d!re"#!on( #*# -!''

(&b(#n#!''y red&"e #*e over'' *rm re(en#'y be!n+ "&(ed, even !$ !# "nno# e'!m!n#e !#

en#!re'y/ T*# men( #!n+ #*e "r!m!n' '- o o$ er(on' dr&+ o((e((!on nd &(e/

In T*e &e(# $or J&(#!"eB 8S"r!be, 20109 Dr Ken Cr!(!n, $ormer brr!(#er, D!re"#or o$ %&b'!"

%ro(e"!on( o$ #*e ACT, J&d+e nd '- re$ormer, -ro#e o$ o&r re(en# dr&+ '-(:

%t is a fundamental principle of our democratic societies that the rights of individuals should

generally be respected" /hose who seek to have their fellow citiJens arrested, stigmatised as

criminals, and even sent to prison should plainly bear the onus of establishing that the

infringement of their rights and the harm that will be caused to them is !ustified by the need

to protect others or by some other consideration of overriding importance" Similarly, those

who wish to withhold effective treatment or publichealth measures from people in obvious

danger should be obliged to !ustify such an approach" %n blindly adhering to our present

policies, we are trampling on people.s rights, endangering lives, and causing untold misery

and hardship" /his is making the problem worse rather than better" %t is also morally

unsustainable")

DRU LA)S

Dr&+( my be d!v!ded !n#o #*ree brod "#e+or!e( $or re(en# &ro(e(: '!"!#, !''!"!# nd med!"!n' 8or

#*ere!"9/ Mo(# dr&+( *ve (e"!$!" "on#ro'( on #*e!r rod&"#!on nd "on(&m#!on 8"$$e!ne be!n+

n e4"e#!on, $''!n+ &nder ord!nry $ood '-(9/ T*e "on#ro'( vry +re#'y nd no# ne"e((r!'y !n

'o+!"' ##ern(/ )e "on#!n&e #o *ve rob'em( !n re'#!on #o '' "#e+or!e( o$ dr&+( b -*y !( !#

#*o&+*# #*# !$ ro*!b!#!on -!'' no# -or $or '"o*o' . or $or n!"o#!ne . !# -!'' -or $or 'e(( *rm$&'

dr&+( '!e "nnb!( nd e"(#(y; T*e ro"*e( -e *ve #o dr&+( re ne!#*er "on(!(#en#, nor

r#!on'/ )e do *ve (ome (&""e(( -!#* #*e dr&+( -e #re# oen'y . -e *ve no (&""e(( -!#* #*o(e

-e (ee #o (&re(( "om'e#e'y/


18/22

1>

Cnnb!( &(e !( -!de(red !n A&(#r'!/ %re(en#'y !n A&(#r'! more #*n #-!"e ( m&"* !( (en# on

"nnb!( ( !( (en# on #b'e -!ne/ I m #o'd by #er#!ry (#&den#( #*# ro&nd #-o #*!rd( o$ yo&n+

eo'e ##end!n+ o "on"er#(, rve(B nd (o on -!'' *ve oed e"(#(y or o#*er !''(/

T*ere !( no# #!me *ere #o rev!e- #*e *!(#ory o$ dr&+ '-( n#!on''y or !n#ern#!on''y . or #*e *!(#ory

o$ #*e (o"''ed -r on dr&+(B de"'red by %re(!den# R!"*rd N!4on o$ #*e USA on 1= J&ne 1


19/22


20/22

20

-!#* d!$$eren#'y, 6&(# ( -e do 'redy -!#* '"o*o', #ob""o nd med!"!n' dr&+(/ T*ere !( no e(y

one (!e $!#( ''B n(-er, b #*e (e"ond A&(#r'!21 reor# rov!de( (ome 'ed(/

T*# reor# em*(!(e( #*e need $or brod "omm&n!#y "on(&'##!on !n #*e deve'omen# o$

'#ern#!ve( #o #*e o'!"y o$ ro*!b!#!on #*# -e re(en#'y *ve/ T*# !( r#'y #*e re(on I m

!n"'&d!n+ #*!( (&b6e"# !n #*!( 'e"#&re/ o& (*o&'d red #*e reor# 8---/&(#r'!21/or+/&9/ I#re"ommend( #*# n A&(#r'!n Dr&+ S&mm!# be *e'd !n 201@ nd eder' o'!#!"!n( on bo#* (!de(

*ve !nd!"#ed (&or# !n r!n"!'e $or #*# !de/ T*e reor# '(o re"ommend( en++emen# -!#* #*e

Co&n"!' o$ A&(#r'!n overnmen#( 8COA9, #*e A&(#r'! nd Ne- e'nd %o'!"!n+ Adv!(ory A+en"y

8AN%AA9, #*e A&(#r'!n %r'!men#ry ro& on Dr&+ L- Re$orm, #*e %o'!"e Comm!((!oner(

Con$eren"e nd o'!"e &n!on(, "*&r"* 'eder(, b&(!ne(( 'eder( nd !n#ern#!on' '- e4er#(/

In #*e men#!me, *o-ever, -*!'e +re#er "on(&'##!on o""&r(, #*ere re (ome (e"!$!" re$orm

o#!on( (&++e(#ed/

To red&"e demnd $or dr&+( -e (*o&'d en(&re #*# #*e "on#en# nd mnner o$ ed&"#!on #oreven# dr&+ &(e !( "on(!(#en# -!#* re(er"* $!nd!n+(/ A# re(en# -e (end '' o$ #*#

''o"#!on, !n e$$e"#, #e''!n+ ("*oo' "*!'dren #o 6&(# (y noB/ T*# !( obv!o&('y no# e$$e"#!ve/

A roor#!on o$ #*e $&nd( ''o"#ed #o '- en$or"emen# +!n(# dr&+ &(er( (*o&'d be

red!re"#ed #o (y(#em#!", ob6e"#!ve nd e$$e"#!ve e$$or#( #o !mrove no-'ed+e nd

&nder(#nd!n+ bo dr&+ &(e nd rob'em( !n #*e "omm&n!#y/

S&or# $or *!+* r!( o&'#!on( 8e+ !nd!+eno&( +ro&(, #*e *ome'e((, #*e men#''y !''9

(*o&'d be (#ren+#*ened/

Cr!m!n' (n"#!on( $or er(on' &(e nd o((e((!on o$ dr&+( nd dr&+&(!n+ r*ern'!

(*o&'d be removed/

Non"&(#od!' d!(o(!#!on( $or dr&+ o$$en"e( (*o&'d be !n"re(ed/

%ro+rm( d!ver#!n+ dr&+ o$$ender( $rom #*e "r!m!n' 6&(#!"e (y(#em !n#o #re#men# nd

ed&"#!on (*o&'d be !n"re(ed #o red&"e $&r#*er dm+e e(e"!''y #o v&'nerb'e yo&n+

eo'e/

&nd!n+ $or *e'#* nd (o"!' !n#erven#!on( -!#* dr&+ &(er( (*o&'d be !n"re(ed #o #*e 'eve'(

(een # re(en# $or "r!m!n' '- en$or"emen#/

More dr&+ #re#men# (erv!"e( re needed nd #*e rn+e o$ #re#men#( brodened, m!n+

#*em e(!er #o ""e(( nd 'e(( e4en(!ve/

E(#b'!(* *ero!n ((!(#ed #re#men# $or eo'e -!#* (evere *ero!n deenden"e -*o *ve no#

bene$!#ed $rom o#*er #re#men#(/ And "on(!der#!on "o&'d '(o be +!ven #o !#( re("r!#!on

$or #*e re'!e$ o$ !n#r"#b'e !n/

En(&re #*# #re#men# ro+rm( !n r!(on re # 'e(# e7&' #o #*o(e !n #*e "omm&n!#y/

Se"!$!"''y !n re'#!on #o "nnb!( #*e Reor# me( n&mber o$ re"ommend#!on(/

I# (*o&'d be "on#ro''ed #*ro&+* #4#!on nd re+&'#!on/

Hrd #o +e# b e(y #o 'o(e '!"en"e( (*o&'d be !((&ed $or "&'#!v#!on, -*o'e('e nd re#!'

(&'y/

Cnnb!( (*o&'d be (o'd !n '!n "+e( -!#* -rn!n+ 'be'(, *e'(ee!n+ nd o#*er

"on(&mer !n$orm#!on/

%roo$ o$ +e (*o&'d be re7&!red $or &r"*(e 8( -!#* '"o*o'9/


21/22


22/22

22

T*e re"ommend#!on( re no# e4*&(#!ve or "on"'&(!ve . #*ey re (#r#!n+ o!n# $or (er!o&(

d!("&((!on bo e$$e"#!ve re$orm/ T*ey "over rn+e o$ !n!#!#!ve( #*# -o&'d -or be(# !n

"omb!n#!on/ C'er'y, ( !n %or#&+' -*!"* *( (&""e(($&''y *d '!m!#ed dr&+ de"r!m!n'!(#!on $or #*e

'(# 12 yer(, #*ere -!'' (#!'' be ro'e $or #*e "r!m!n' '-, b !# -!'' be 'e(( nd "on$!ned #o de'!n+

-!#* (er!o&( "r!m!n'!#y/ J&(# ( #*ere !( "on#rbnd or boo#'e+ n!"o#!ne nd '"o*o' !n A&(#r'!, (o

#*ere -!'' (#!'' be #*o(e "r!m!n' r!( #er( -*o er(!(# !n #ry!n+ #o ro$!# o(!de #*e '-/ -!#*

ro$!#( *rder #o me be"&(e o$ #*e re+&'#ed mre# r&n by #*e +overnmen# !n "ome#!#!on, #*ey

-!'' be $e-er #*n # re(en# nd #*e!r !n$'&en"e m&"* 'e((/ Cr!m!n' '- en$or"emen# re7&!remen#(

-!'' be m&"* red&"ed nd #*e ("oe $or "orr!on (evere'y '!m!#ed/ Se"ondry "r!me -!'' '(o

red&"e, be"&(e dr&+( $or #*o(e -*o need #*em -!'' be "*eer/

In #*e men#!me, #*e (#!+m #*# re(en#'y reven#( dr&+ &(er( $rom oen'y (ee!n+ ((!(#n"e nd

(&or# nd !n"re(e( #*e r!(( ((o"!#ed -!#* #*e!r *b!#( -!'' be '!$#ed/ No# $or everyone, I "on"ede

. b -e *ve no "*n"e -!#* nyone !$ -e er(!(# -!#* "om'e#e ro*!b!#!on/

In #*e $!r(# (#e( o$ re$orm ro"e((, #*e 'e((on( o$ o#*er "o&n#r!e( (*o&'d be (#&d!ed/ A mode' $or

de"r!m!n'!(#!on o$ 7&n#!#!e( o$ dr&+( "on(!(#en# -!#* er(on' &(e !( #o be $o&nd !n %or#&+'/ In

S-!#er'nd *ero!n re("r!#!on $or dd!"#( *( been oer#!n+ $or over de"de/ In 1

Documents

Nicholas Cowdery - John Marsden Lecture 2012: where to for the criminal law in NSW?