The Hodgman Liberal Government is delivering on our election commitment to phase out suspended sentences and replace them with a wider range of alternative sentencing options.
Unlike Labor, we believe that criminals should be held accountable for their crimes and demonstrate they are making a serious effort at rehabilitation instead of being free to walk the streets.
Last year we implemented the first tranche of new alternative sentencing options, which included the expansion of Drug Treatment Orders to be available for matters in the Supreme Court.
In this year’s budget we included $1.3 million to increase the program cap for the Court Mandated Diversion program from 80 to 120 places. This is a significant increase in the program which will support the expansion of Drug Treatment Orders to the Supreme Court.
DTOs are a very important tool in helping offenders get their lives back on track and reducing recidivism rates, which is exactly why the Government committed to extending them to the Supreme Court as part of our plan to phase out suspended sentences.
Most participants on the program have long histories of criminal activity and are considered at very high risk of relapse and re-offending, and this funding recognises the important role that rehabilitation and treatment programs play in ensuring community safety.
It is appallingly hypocritical of Labor to say they will cut funding for the Court Mandated Diversion program in their Economic Directions statement, which would reverse the increase in the program cap. Labor has previously called for the Government to increase the program cap and then when we do, they say they will cut it and keep suspended sentences instead.
Labor’s soft on crime approach would clearly result in more criminals on our streets- you would think the least they could is support important programs to reduce reoffending.