Speaker Sue Hickey votes against Liberal Party to block sex assault legislation

Speaker Sue Hickey has again voted against the Liberal Party — this time crossing the floor on the Government’s Bill for mandatory minimum sentences for child sex offenders.

SPEAKER Sue Hickey has again voted against the Liberal Party — this time crossing the floor on the Government’s Bill for mandatory minimum sentences for child sex offenders.

The Hodgman Government has gone to two state elections with a clear policy to guarantee jail time for serious sexual assaults against children but the Bill last night failed for the third time.

Ms Hickey’s deciding vote to block the Bill came after Labor this week announced it instead wanted to pursue maximum life sentences for people convicted of sexual offences against a child.

Ms Hickey told the House she was surprised the Government had not presented new evidence or engaged in any additional consultation to improve its Bill.

“It would have been much easier for me to have supported a ‘populist policy’ but it is braver and more true to my conscience to not support this Bill in its current form,” she said.

“There have been significant concerns raised from the legal profession regarding this Bill because they do not support removal of the authority from judges who understand the complexity of the case before them.

“Mandatory sentencing undermines the separation of powers that ensures the independence of the legal system.”

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Speaker of the house Sue Hickey. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Ms Hickey said all laws should be based on informed advice, not popular opinion.

Premier Will Hodgman said he was disappointed with Ms Hickey’s decision.

“Today’s decision by members of parliament to block mandatory sentencing for child sex offenders is incredibly disappointing, especially for the victims of abuse, advocates and victim support groups, and the broader Tasmanian community who strongly support this reform,” he said.

“Labor’s con-job of a position announced this week will do nothing to ensure that child sex offenders are put behind bars.

“The Government absolutely maintains our policy, of many years standing, that there must be mandatory jail time for child sex offenders and we will continue to pursue it.”

Attorney-General Elise Archer on Tuesday accused Labor of using a “blatant delaying tactic” before the Legislative Council elections by ordering the Bill be referred to a parliamentary committee.

But Shadow Attorney-General Ella Haddad said it was the Liberals who were putting political games before children’s safety.

Ms Haddad said the Liberals’ Bill enshrined sentences that were shorter than those already being handed out by the courts.

“Labor congratulates Ms Hickey for joining us in putting policies that protect our kids before politics,” Ms Haddad said.

“We offered the Government the chance to work with Labor to put child sex offenders behind bars for longer. Instead, they chose gutter politics in the lead up to this weekend’s Legislative Council elections.

“Labor will be ready to work with the Liberals once they get their priorities right.”

Ms Hickey last month consistently voted against the Government to pass landmark legislation to make gender optional on birth certificates.

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