NT parliament increases minimum sentence for domestic violence murder, speaker berates backbencher
Marie-Clare Boothby introduced the legislation to parliament this week. (ABC News)
In short:
Northern Territory parliament has passed legislation increasing the mandatory minimum prison sentence for domestic violence murder from 20 to 25 years.
This week, parliament also heard Speaker Robyn Lambley berate a government backbencher over his handling of bullying claims.
What's next?
Parliament will resume on Tuesday.
The Northern Territory's mandatory minimum prison sentence for domestic violence murder has increased from 20 to 25 years after legislation passed parliament.
Despite concerns from frontline services, the Country Liberal Party (CLP) government's amendment to the Sentencing Act passed parliament on Tuesday — one of three bills to do so this week.
Under the new sentencing law, a mandatory minimum non-parole period of 25 years' imprisonment will be imposed if a person murders their partner or former partner, except in exceptional circumstances.
The government's amendment was introduced to parliament in February and was subsequently referred to the Legislative Scrutiny Committee.
Of the 12 submissions the committee received, 10 recommended changes to the amendment.
In its submission, the North Australia Aboriginal Justice Agency said increasing the non-parole period by five years was unlikely to prevent intimate partner homicide, saying the type of offending was rarely premeditated.
Most submissions also raised concerns about the "exceptional circumstances" provision in the bill, which is supposed to prevent the 25-year mandatory minimum applying to victims of violence.
Exceptional circumstances apply if an offender can prove that the victim's conduct substantially mitigates the offender's actions and that they are otherwise a person of good character and unlikely to reoffend.
Chief executive Ben Grimes made a submission on behalf of the North Australia Aboriginal Justice Agency. (ABC News: Dane Hirst )
In the committee's report, chair Oly Carlson noted that the good character requirement "was seen to be particularly problematic given the nature of intimate partner murder".
She said given evidence heard by the committee and a recent change in New South Wales that saw good character references abolished, a review should be established to examine the good character requirement.
Despite calling for a review, the committee — which is controlled by a CLP majority — recommended no changes be made to the amendment.
It returned to parliament on Tuesday and passed via the government's majority, with the opposition and crossbench voting against it.
Speaker berates backbencher
The parliament passed two other bills this week.
On Tuesday, it passed an amendment to the bail act clarifying that the act also applies the Youth Justice Court.
A bill providing longer terms for commercial passenger vehicle licences was also made into law on Thursday.
But the most remarkable moment of the week came on Wednesday during Question Time when Speaker Robyn Lambley berated CLP backbencher Tanzil Rahman for his response to bullying allegations.
Tanzil Rahman released a statement on Sunday regarding bullying allegations reported in the media. (ABC News: Michael Franchi)
The ABC reported last month that Dr Rahman had been the subject of bullying claims by two female Department of Legislative Assembly staffers, while he led consultations into future voluntary assisted dying legislation.
Dr Rahman did not respond to repeated requests for comment at the time, but released a statement on Sunday saying he was "deeply offended by allegations of professional misconduct".
He said he was also considering legal action.
Responding to a question from Labor's Chansey Paech on Wednesday, Ms Lambley addressed Dr Rahman, criticising his handling of the matter.
"You could have acknowledged that your conduct caused distress, you could have expressed genuine remorse," she said.
"You simply needed the courage to say 'I'm sorry' and you did not say that, you apparently have reached for your lawyers instead."
She also questioned who Dr Rahman was intending to sue.
"Are you intending to sue your colleagues? Department of Legislative Assembly staff? The media? Or indeed me, I've made comments about this whole situation," she said.
"This institution deserves better than to have its members answer allegations of harm with threats of litigation."
Loading...Ms Lambley's comments came after the government blocked a Labor motion on Tuesday, seeking to refer Dr Rahman to the parliamentary privileges committee to scrutinise the allegations
Following Question Time on Wednesday, independent Justine Davis introduced a motion seeking to stamp out bullying and harassment in parliament in general.
The government amended the motion to exclude any mention of a behaviour code or legislative change and it subsequently passed.
Parliament will resume next Tuesday.