In government the NSW Liberal/Nationals Coalition will introduce a new Community Sentencing Policy that gives the community a direct say in sentences handed down in jury trials. 

“Juries represent the values and standards of a community. Sentences must reflect community values and expectations. Involving juries in the process of sentencing will help to restore public confidence in the NSW justice system,” Mr Debnam said today.

A Liberal/Nationals Coalition Government will introduce legislation to enable juries to determine if standard minimum sentences[1] are to apply in sentencing.

Under the Liberal/Nationals plan the jury will be able to decide in each case whether the judge must be bound by a compulsory minimum sentence. This gives the community a direct say.

Following a determination of guilt in a trial, the jury will decide whether or not the standard minimum sentence must apply in that particular case.

In each case it will be the Judge who will determine the final sentence. The jury’s task will be to decide whether the standard minimum should be the lowest penalty available.  

This will not apply to sentences for the murder of a police officer, where under our policy, a compulsory minimum sentence of life imprisonment will apply, no ifs no buts.”