Lawyer X: Criminals’ appeals may spark special laws to stop releases
The Andrews Government is considering laws to stop criminals using the Lawyer X scandal to get out of jail early, including targeting individuals to prevent their release.
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The Andrews Government is considering new laws that would stop dangerous criminals using the Lawyer X scandal to get out of jail early.
Among the options being discussed are laws that would target individuals to prevent their release.
It is understood criminals like Tony Mokbel would be hit by the laws if they were created, similar to the way state parliament legislated to keep Hoddle St killer Julian Knight behind bars.
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The radical move is one of a suite of contingencies being considered after revelations gangland lawyer Nicola Gobbo was a police informer against her criminal clients, including Mokbel and Carl Williams.
A specialist court to fast-track dozens of criminals’ appeals sparked by the scandal is also being considered, while some existing legislation could also be strengthened to ensure any criminals freed by appeal could be banned from associating with former associates or high-risk crooks.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the use of a lawyer as an informant was disturbing and “we need to be certain that this could never happen again”.
The premier would not be drawn on any of the government’s legislative options, but said he would be focused on practical outcomes.
When pushed about the potential for specific laws, he said a commonsense approach would be taken.
“I wouldn’t say (legislation is) likely, that prejudges things, but it’s certainly possible,” he said.
For the government to act it would have to have watertight advice, the premier said.
“If a conviction was deemed unsafe, the last thing you would want to do is something that is legally questionable and potentially unsafe itself in order to remedy that.
“You have got to be very careful not to cause a problem when trying to fix that very problem.”
Mr Andrews also strongly backed Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton, who made it clear early in his five-year term that he would not be seeking reappointment next year.
Mr Ashton opposed the Herald Sun in its five-year fight to name Ms Gobbo and oversaw two investigations into Ms Gobbo when he was on a police committee.
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