OFFENDERS captured under tough new laws which passed the upper house this afternoon will face six-month mandatory prison sentences. The state government's Assaults on Police Officers Bill will be used to prosecute individuals who cause grievous bodily harm to on-duty officers. Judges and magistrates will be barred from suspending the sentences. Exceptional circumstances are to be taken into account, but being drunk or drug affected will not qualify as a legitimate excuse. Launceston MLC Rosemary Armitage this afternoon attempted to water down the mandatory element to the bill. Ms Armitage's proposed amendment would have seen courts directed to consider imposing six-month sentences, but not forced to do so. However, the change was knocked down eight votes to six. The legislation passed unamended. Police Minister Rene Hidding is confident the laws will deter individuals intent on assaulting police. ''We make no apologies for introducing a minimum mandatory jail sentence for those convicted of causing serious bodily harm to on-duty police officers,'' he said. MORE TO COME
OFFENDERS captured under tough new laws which passed the upper house this afternoon will face six-month mandatory prison sentences.
The state government's Assaults on Police Officers Bill will be used to prosecute individuals who cause grievous bodily harm to on-duty officers.
Judges and magistrates will be barred from suspending the sentences.
Exceptional circumstances are to be taken into account, but being drunk or drug affected will not qualify as a legitimate excuse.
Launceston MLC Rosemary Armitage this afternoon attempted to water down the mandatory element to the bill.
Ms Armitage's proposed amendment would have seen courts directed to consider imposing six-month sentences, but not forced to do so.
However, the change was knocked down eight votes to six.
The legislation passed unamended.
Police Minister Rene Hidding is confident the laws will deter individuals intent on assaulting police.
''We make no apologies for introducing a minimum mandatory jail sentence for those convicted of causing serious bodily harm to on-duty police officers,'' he said.
