The push for better protection for off-duty police will continue.
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That is the message from Justice and Corrections Minister Elise Archer.
The issue of assaults on off-duty police was first raised by Fairfax Tasmania in July last year after a Longford officer was punched in a targeted attack.
The campaign to amend minimum mandatory sentencing legislation to include attacks on off-duty police was supported by the state government, with former Police Minister Rene Hidding announcing proposed changes in August.
The change, however, was ultimately rejected by the Legislative Council.
Addressing a Legislative Council committee during budget estimates on Wednesday, Ms Archer said it was something the state government “wanted to see through”.
She said current laws included mandatory minimum sentencing for assaults on police while they are on duty, and off-duty officers “should be afforded that same protection”.
“We have an awful anomaly there we want to fix,” she said.
The Police Association of Tasmania supported the government’s proposal when it was put forward last year.
“We continue to hold that position strongly,” acting president Gavin Cashion said.
“Police and emergency services deserve the highest possible protection under the law. We believe those laws should be made stronger in relation to assaults against police, in the line of duty or off-duty.
“The line between on and off-duty is getting thinner every day.”