Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill

Just to explain to colleagues what we are doing here, there is a bill before the House entitled the Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill in the name of the Minister of Justice. The purpose of the bill is to ensure that an offence committed against a police officer or prison officer acting in the course of his or her duty is taken into account as an aggravating factor at sentencing. When this proposal was considered by the Labour Opposition we thought that it was a sensible provision. We are fully supportive of ensuring that police officers or prison officers in the course of their duty have the maximum protection that can be provided by the law. We accept the case that there has been an increase in risk against both professions by reason of their having suffered greater threats and actual violence in the course of their duties. Those duties are important—

I am sorry to interrupt the member. Because we are doing it clause by clause, and not part by part, clause 1 is actually the title. Although what the member is saying is interesting, there is a way around this that would allow you to continue, but it is up to the Minister or a Government member to seek leave that the clauses be taken as one question.

I seek leave of the Committee for this matter to be taken as one question, so we can have a wide-ranging debate.

Leave is sought for the debate to be on clauses 1 to 5. The question is that clauses 1 to 5 stand part. Is there any objection? There is no objection. I will allow the member to start his 5 minutes, starting now.

Clauses 1 to 5