Search Results for: reference

Queensland Police's Unsuccessful Facial Recognition System

During the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Queensland Police tried out a new technology with the aim to detect high-profile and target faces. From an internal police report released as a matter of public interest, we now know that the deployment was rushed and there were technical difficulties with the system. Both the Queensland and Federal Government denied important legislation that resulted in the system’s database being reduced by almost 40 million images. With a ~500% reduction in reference images, the facial recognition system was somewhat doomed from the start. Starting with focus on 16 high-priority targets, the system was unable …

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Sentencing Advisory Council – Child Homicide

On 26 October 2017, the Sentencing Advisory Council received Terms of Reference from the Attorney General regarding the “penalties imposed on sentence for criminal offences arising from the death of a child”  The AG noted that there has been commentary expressing the view that the penalties imposed for these offences may not be meeting the expectations of the community. In announcing the review the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council noted “In 2015–16, the deaths of 390 children and young people were registered in Queensland. Nine of these children and young people died as a result of suspected or confirmed assault and/or …

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Sentencing Advisory Council – Intermediate Sentencing Options and Parole

On 26 October 2017, the Sentencing Advisory Council received Terms of Reference from the Attorney General regarding “community-based sentencing orders, imprisonment and parole options”.  At the core of the sentencing process is the effective rehabilitation, reintegration and supervision of prisoners released into the community.  Other than those serving a life sentence, there must be an acknowledgment that at some point an offender will be released back into the community.  Parole is crucial in reducing the risk of re-offending by those under supervision, prior to the end of their sentence. Sofronoff Report The terms of reference are in response to the recommendations …

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Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council

Sentencing law to be assisted by Sentencing Advisory Council Sentencing law is a complex and often controversial part of the Criminal process.  In considering the competing elements of the sentencing discretion, Magistrates and Judges are often criticised as being too harsh or too lenient. In March 2016 the Queensland Premier introduced the Penalties and Sentences (Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council) Amendment Bill into the Queensland Parliament. The purpose was to re-establish the Sentencing Advisory Council.  The new council is largely modelled on regime abolished by the former government in 2012. Purpose The proposed purpose of the Council is to: Ensure public confidence in the …

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Queensland Organised Crime Commission of Inquiry Established

In February 2015, the newly elected government indicated that it would conduct a Commission of Inquiry into aspects relating to organised crime in Queensland.  On 2 April 2015 by Commission of Inquiry Order (No.1) 2015 of 2 May 2015, a Commission of Inquiry was commenced.  Michael Byrne QC is required to investigate and report in relation to a variety of issues including the extent and nature or organised crime in Queensland as well as the extent to which entities involved in organised crime use money laundering and professional facilitators including lawyers and accountants. The terms of reference are extremely wide, …

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New Law Grants Qld's Attorney General Power of Indefinite Detention.

The Public Interest Declarations Act amending the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act represents a significant change to the way the law is applied in Queensland and throughout Australia. We have, until now had a clear delineation between the role of the executive and the implementation of the law by the judiciary.  The parliament has been elected to make law and our courts have interpreted and applied those laws.  This new piece of legislation departs from that process, by enabling the Attorney General to overrule the decision of the court and detain a person. Previously, applications to have prisoners detained indefinitely …

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