Australian Politics and Policy - Senior, 2019a

Australian Politics and Policy
The formulation of law and order policy is fraught with complexities,
contestations and political power plays. It involves an array of actors with diverse
and often conflicting perspectives, all seeking to influence the direction of law
and order policy. Amidst these debates, politicians have been able to exploit the
public’s (somewhat irrational) fear of crime, which has been predominantly driven
by sensationalistic media coverage, to elicit popular support for ‘tough on crime’
policies.
Punitive law and order policy is costly – in both human and financial terms.
Consequently,itisimportanttoaskwhetherthebenefitsgainedfrom‘getting
tough’ on the supposed crime problem can justify the damage it creates.
Furthermore, it is important to recognise the disproportionate adverse effects of
punitive policies on the most vulnerable groups in society. Law and order policy, as
it currently stands, has the effect of excessively criminalising and punishing poverty
anddesperation.Moreneedstobedonetoensurethatthereisequalitybeforethe
law and punishments imposed are proportionate to offences committed.
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