New child killer laws just in time for Labor

Labor’s new laws that it says will ensure the punishment handed to child killers will fit the crime cannot come a moment too soon, writes Sarah Vogler.

LABOR will start the Parliamentary year with a legislative bang, introducing new laws that it says will finally ensure the punishment handed to killers who target children and other vulnerable Queenslanders will fit the crime.

And it cannot come a moment too soon.

If there is anything that unites all Queensland voters it is the sheer frustration and disgust that comes with hearing the details of the latest cruel death of a young person and then discovering that those responsible for inflicting unimaginable cruelty will serve just a handful of years behind bars.

Anything that gives the courts more tools to ensure justice is served should be applauded.

This time Parliament will be spoiled for choice.

Labor will make good on its pledge to bring in a suite of changes that include expanding the definition of murder to capture the unlawful killing of another if the death is caused by an act or omission with reckless indifference to human life.

Faces of children killed in Queensland: Top row from left to right are Mason Jett Lee, Tyrell Cobb, Hemi Goodwin-Burke. Bottom row from left to right are Tiahleigh Palmer, Kyhesha-Lee Joughin and Matthew Baxter.

The changes will also more than double the penalty handed to those found guilty of failing to supply the necessities of life.

The LNP Opposition has committed to supporting Labor’s changes but insists the Government’s Bill will only “tinker at the edges”.

The LNP will attempt to bring in its own changes as well in the form of a new child manslaughter offence that would carry a minimum sentence of 15 years.

The opposition will also move to increase the minimum non-parole period for the murder of a child under 18 from 20 to 25 years, dubbing their changes Mason’s Law in memory of slain toddler Mason Jett Lee.

Whatever happens, the final changes will be tested by the Courts and — ultimately — by the voters in just over 20 months’ time.