Fed: MPs hopeful of mandatory sentencing resolution

AAP General News (Australia)
04-10-2000
Fed: MPs hopeful of mandatory sentencing resolution

CANBERRA, April 10 AAP - Liberal frontbencher Warren Entsch today warned colleagues
opposed to mandatory sentencing that some alternatives might be even less palatable.

Independent MP Peter Andren has proposed a conscience vote on his private member's
bill against mandatory sentencing today, which would allow wavering government backbenchers
to register a protest vote without forcing them into crossing the floor.

Mr Entsch, the parliamentary secretary for industry, science and resources, said some
Aboriginal groups in the Northern Territory thought its laws were too soft and wanted
traditional law instead.

"A lot of the Aboriginal communities are also very critical of whitefaces law in that
they see it as too soft, so what (NT Chief Minister Denis Burke) he's doing there is responding
to a need in the community," he told reporters.

"If you want to see all hell break loose, particularly with those soft wets, let them
have a look at what some of the customary law is."

National Party MP Ian Causley said he hoped something would come out of meetings between
Prime Minister John Howard and Mr Burke.

"I think that if the NT were persuaded to get their legislation closer to the West
Australian legislation then most people would be reasonably satisfied," he said.

Liberal MP David Jull said he hoped the issue would be resolved soon.

"I think we will probably find some resolution, the prime minister seemed to be reasonably
confident that he would," he said.

Fellow Liberal Alan Cadman said the solution lay in a combination of education, discipline,
health and training.

AAP kmh/mfh/bdm/bwl

KEYWORD: MANDATORY MPS

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