Australian Politics and Policy - Senior, 2019a

Australian Politics and Policy
appeal–storiesofinjusticehavethecapabilitytoarousesympathyandevoke
intense feelings of anger and moral indignation among the general public.
Furthermore, victim groups often have insider access to politicians and the policy
consultation process, and may be invited to make policy submissions.
Single-issue campaign groups
Single-issue campaign groups are similar to penal reform groups and victim
interest groups, except that campaign groups generally arise out of widely
publicised perceived injustices and seek to influence law and order policy
pertaining to a single issue of concern.
Case study: Thomas Kelly
In July 2012, Thomas Kelly was killed in a ‘one-punch’ attack in NSW. The incident
drew extensive media coverage and sparked intense public outcry on the danger of
alcohol-fuelled violence. On 8 November 2013, the perpetrator, Kieran Loveridge,
was sentenced to a total of seven years and two months imprisonment. This
punishment was deemed to be grossly inadequate by many, and it further fuelled
public outrage about the problem of alcohol-fuelled violence and the supposed
inability of the judiciary to respond in a way that reflected community sentiment. 27
Shortly after the sentence, Kelly’s family and their supporters called for tougher
sentences for violent offenders and lobbied the government to introduce mandatory
sentencing laws. On 19 November 2013, a public rally was held in Sydney’s Martin
Place. By 30 January 2014, a new homicide offence had been created – the offence of
‘assault causing death’. The aggravated version of the offence, ‘assault causing death
when intoxicated’, carries a mandatory sentence of eight years imprisonment. All of
thiswasachievedingreathaste;theBillwaspassedinparliamentonthesamedayit
was introduced and with minimal expert consultation. 28
General public
Members of the general public can influence law and order policy by expressing
their views through a variety of mediums, including:
• votingatstateelections
• participating in opinion polls
• signing petitions
• publishingcommentsonsocialmedia
• providing feedback or comments on talkback radio
• contacting the local member of parliament.
27 Quilter 2014.
28 Quilter 2014.
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