Peter Dutton: ‘The law is an ass ... I’m sorry’

FEDERAL MP Peter Dutton says The Courier-Mail’s editorial “got it dead right” by calling the law “an ass” following the decision to downgrade Gerard Baden-Clay’s murder conviction.

ACTING Justice Minister and Queenslander Peter Dutton said The Courier-Mail and its editor Christopher Dore “got it dead right” by calling the law “an ass” following the decision to downgrade Gerard Baden-Clay’s murder conviction.

“The law is an ass and I’m sorry to say that’s the reality,” he told 2GB radio, an affiliate of Brisbane station 4BC.

Wednesday’s bold front page of The Courier-Mail simply stated “The law is an ass”, with an editorial stating Baden-Clay didn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt.

Thursday’s follow-up front page.

Wednesday’s front page.

Brisbane man Baden-Clay was found guilty in July last year of the murder of his wife Allison but this week his conviction was downgraded to manslaughter. He could next month argue he should be immediately released for time served.

The decision was blasted by many, including Allison’s family who said they were in shock and disbelief.

“Judges should have independence but they should reflect community views,” Mr Dutton said this morning.

READ MORE:

EDITORIAL: Baden-Clay doesn’t deserve benefit of the doubt

MINISTER’S CALL: Plan to name bridge after Allison dumped

COMMENT: Outrage should be a tool for change

FREEDOM BID: Why Baden-Clay could walk soon

“Nobody is saying there is an investigation ongoing to find out who the killer was of Alison. I think the police believe they have pretty much got the bloke. There is no sense there is somebody else out there wandering around killing other women in the Western Suburbs.

“I think they have done the investigation. I think they are pretty certain as to who killed this woman.

Peter Dutton said he feels for Allison Baden-Clay’s family after Gerard’s legal team won the appeal.

“And I feel for those poor girls and for Allison’s parents. They are to be dragged through this again, and this bloke, if he had one shred of decency, would stick his hand up. He’d cop the consequences, admit to what he’s done for the sake of his own daughters.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today refused to be drawn on whether the State would launch an appeal in the wake of the shock verdict.

“The Acting Attorney-General is seeking legal advice,” she said.

“I spoke to the Acting Attorney-General, Cameron Dick, this morning on the phone and he assured me that the department is working extremely hard to get that advice as soon as possible.

“But this is a very serious issue and once we get that advice we’ll be making a more informed comment.”

Ms Palaszczuk said she was concerned any remarks she made could harm the prospects of a successful appeal.

“I’m not going to say anything more about the case because anything I say can actually prejudice an appeal,” she said.

The Premier insisted the state’s judges understood community expectations.

“Judges live in our community, they understand what the community thinks and says,” she said.

“So let them do their job. Let’s wait until we get the advice and we’ll give you an update as soon as we receive that advice.”