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Explanatory note
This explanatory note relates to this Bill as introduced into Parliament.
Overview of Bill
The object of this Bill is to amend the Crimes Act 1900 to provide for mandatory life sentences to be imposed on persons convicted of murdering police officers. A life sentence is a sentence for the term of the person's natural life without release on parole.Outline of provisions
Clause 1 sets out the name (also called the short title) of the proposed Act.Clause 2 provides for the commencement of the proposed Act on the date of assent to the proposed Act.
Clause 3 inserts section 19B into the Crimes Act 1900. The proposed section provides that a mandatory life sentence is to be imposed by the court on a person convicted of murdering a police officer:
(a) while the officer was executing his or her duties or as a consequence of, or in retaliation for, actions undertaken by any police officer in the execution of his or her duties, and
(b) where the person knew (or ought reasonably to have known) the person killed was a police officer, and
(c) where the person intended to kill the police officer or was engaged in criminal activity that risked serious harm to police officers.
The proposed section does not apply to convicted persons under the age of 18 years
or suffering a significant cognitive impairment.
Note: If this Bill is not modified, these Explanatory Notes would reflect the Bill as passed in the House. If the Bill has been amended by Committee, these Explanatory Notes may not necessarily reflect the Bill as passed.