NT lawyers reject CLP sentencing plan
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The Northern Territory Criminal Lawyers Association has continued its criticism of the Country Liberal Party's law and order policies.
The CLP unveiled its policy on violent crime, promising minimum sentences for various offences, including six months for offenders who commit a serious violent assault.
The Association says the idea to have jailed murderers plead to politicians instead of a parole board for release is populist.
The Association also strongly opposes the Country Liberals' mandatory sentencing policy for violent assaults, saying statistics show it will not reduce crime.
Lawyer Glen Dooley says it would only lead to more crowding of Northern Territory prisons.
"[It] politicises this whole procedure," he said.
"People, after being jailed for 20 years, will have to apply to a government trying to be populist.
"These are populist policies - the prospect of anyone deserving of release after 20 to 25 years would be very slim."
