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Sentencing Advisory Council

Sentencing Advisory Council reports

Listing of final reports produced by the Sentencing Advisory Council.

Recent reports 

Review of suspended sentences

The Sentencing Advisory Council completed its review of the use of suspended sentences, drug treatment orders, and the new sentencing orders of Home Detention Order and Community Corrections Order in November 2021.

On 17 November 2021 the Council forwarded the final report to the Attorney-General.  The Attorney-General tabled the report in both Houses of Parliament on 25 November 2021, as required under the provisions of the Sentencing Amendment (Phasing Out Of Suspended Sentences) Act 2017.

The report examines home detention orders, community correction orders, drug treatment orders and the use of suspended sentences for specified sentences.  It provides information about the orders themselves, as well as the use and duration of the orders, and breaches of these orders.

The Council consulted with relevant stakeholders about the operation of these sentencing options, and their feedback was incorporated into the report.  A list of those consulted is included in the report.

It is noted that there were some substantial difficulties in providing meaningful responses to several of the questions posed in the Terms of Reference provided in the Notice to Conduct a review.  This was particularly the case in relation to the comparison of the duration of home detention orders, community correction orders, and drug treatment orders, and the outcome of breach applications for those orders with similar offending where suspended sentences were imposed.

This is due to the inherently different nature of the orders and the small number of offenders involved in each offence category (with similar offending), making it impossible to discern any reliable trend or attach any significant characteristics to the orders themselves. As the new orders had not been in operation for very long, the number of sentences under consideration was often too small to allow for statistical analysis.  However, all information discovered has been included in the report for reference.

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Review under Section 2 of the Sentencing Amendment (Phasing Out Of Suspended Sentences) Act 2017 (PDF, 3.2 MB)


Sentencing young offenders

The Sentencing Advisory Council released Research Paper 6: Sentencing Young Offenders on 10 November 2021.

The Research Paper is intended to provide an information resource on the operation of the sentencing principles, options and practices under the Youth Justice Act 1997, and the operation of the Magistrates Court (Youth Justice Division) and the sentencing of young offenders by the Supreme Court. This detailed research had not been included in the Council’s previous reports and was identified as a knowledge gap in sentencing information resources at the time.

The Paper also provides a statistical profile of offences heard and sentencing outcomes for the period 2007-2008 to 2018-2019.

The Research Paper is not a review of the youth justice system in Tasmania, and does not contain any recommendations. However, the research did reveal a number of findings and observation, such as:

  • Most young people do not come into contact with the criminal justice system. In 2019-20 only 2% of young people aged 10-17 in Tasmania were proceeded against by police.
  • Around 50% of matters dealt with by police were finalised by diversion (informal and formal cautions and community conferences).
  • In the Youth division of the Magistrates Court, 90% of orders were non-custodial (undertakings or release on conditions).
  • Most youth offenders do not progress to serious crime, and appear to stop offending without intervention.  A small number of youths, however, have repeated contact with the criminal justice system and are responsible for a disproportionate amount of crime and continue to offend into adulthood.
  • An examination of the circumstances of a young offender often reveals a complex picture of multiple vulnerabilities. Identified factors associated with youth offending include gender, family factors, disengagement from education, disadvantage and poverty, homelessness, drugs and alcohol use, mental health and intellectual disability.  Further, the effect of trauma on youth offending is being increasingly recognised as important in sentencing considerations and the delivery of services to young offenders.
  • Indigenous young people continue to be over-represented in the criminal justice system.

Download document

Research paper 6: Sentencing  Young Offenders (PDF, 2.6 MB)


Sentencing for Non-Fatal Strangulation

The Sentencing Advisory Council released Research Paper 5: Sentencing for Non-Fatal Strangulation on 17 June 2021.

This paper was prepared following a request from the Attorney-General to provide information about sentencing for specific non-fatal strangulation offences in other Australian jurisdictions, as well as information about cases where non-fatal strangulation, choking or suffocation has been considered as a sentencing factor in Tasmania.  The specific terms of reference are:

  1. In Tasmania, how many cases and in what circumstances has non–fatal strangulation, choking or suffocation been considered as a sentencing factor and in relation to which offences?  What were the sentencing outcomes in those cases?
  2. In those jurisdictions that have introduced an offence of non-fatal strangulation (or cognate offence), what have been the sentencing outcomes and, where information is available, what factors have the courts considered in sentencing the offender?
  3. In those  jurisdictions that have introduced an offence of non-fatal strangulation (or cognate offence) for what other offences was the offender also sentenced at the same court event?
  4. Any other relevant observations.

The paper highlights a number of findings regarding recognition of the seriousness of non-fatal strangulation, particularly in the context of family violence, and the unique capacity of strangulation to be used as a means of coercion and control on a domestic relationship.

The paper also found that there is no noticeable difference between sentencing for non-fatal strangulation in the Supreme Court of Tasmania and sentencing in Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and New Zealand.

Based on its research, the Council makes three suggestions for legislative reform to the Sentencing Act 1997 (Tas) and the Family Violence Act 2004 (Tas) to provide that strangulation and suffocation are aggravating circumstances in relation to an offence, and to provide for the recording of non-fatal strangulation as a particular of an offence on a person’s criminal record.

Download document

Research Paper No. 5: Sentencing for Non-Fatal Strangulation (PDF, 1.6 MB)


Previous Reports

Sentencing appeals in Tasmania

The Sentencing Advisory Council released its research paper on sentencing appeals in Tasmania on 27 August 2019.

Research Paper No. 4: Sentencing Appeals in Tasmania provides information about the operation of two areas of appeal against sentence for offenders sentenced under the Tasmania Sentencing Act 1997 -

  1. from decisions of magistrates in the Magistrates Court to the Supreme Court (called motions to review), and
  2. from decisions of single judges in the Supreme Court to the Court of Criminal Appeal (called appeals).

Appeals against conviction were not included in the research.

The Paper makes a number of key findings in relation to the appeals and their outcomes, and looks at whether offenders had legal representation during the process.

The paper also compares the success rate for appeals against sentence in Tasmania with those in NSW and Victoria.

Download document

Research Paper No. 4: Sentencing Appeals in Tasmania (PDF, 845.6 KB)


Sentencing for serious sex offences against children

The Sentencing Advisory Council released its research paper on sentencing for serious sex offences against children on 19 December 2018.

The Research Paper examines the trends in sentencing in Tasmania for serious sex offences against children. In this Paper the Council examines sentencing data from the Court of Criminal Appeal and the Supreme Court of Tasmania for the period 1 January 2015 to 30 September 2018 and compares it with the sentencing data for the period 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2014.  The paper identifies a marked upward trend in sentences imposed for these crimes under the Sentencing Act 1997.

Sentencing for Serious Sex Offences against Children Research Paper 3 (PDF, 737.9 KB)


Statutory sentencing discounts for pleas of guilty

The Sentencing Advisory Council released its final report on statutory sentencing reductions for pleas of guilty on 7 November 2018.

This report was prepared following a request in August 2017 from the Acting Attorney-General, the Hon Matthew Groom, in response to concerns regarding delays in criminal proceedings in Tasmania and late resolving guilty pleas.

The report examines the current approach in Tasmania to the reduction of sentence for a guilty plea, and the legislative approaches in other Australian and relevant international jurisdictions.

Taking into account the findings from its research and stakeholder consultation, the Council makes nine recommendations addressing some of the systemic factors contributing to court delays in Tasmania, and setting out some parameters around the possible introduction of a statutory sentence reduction scheme for guilty pleas in Tasmania.

Final Report No. 10: Statutory Sentencing Discount for Pleas of Guilty (PDF, 2.2 MB)


Mandatory treatment for alcohol and drug affected offenders

The Sentencing Advisory Council released its research paper on the implementation of mandatory treatment for alcohol and drug affected offenders on 21 December 2017.

This was Stage 2 of a referral from the Attorney-General to examine putting into effect compulsory offender treatment programs in prison and the community for a range of offences.  Stage 1 of the referral concerned mandatory treatment for sex offenders, and the research paper for this Stage was released on 16 February 2017.

Research Paper No. 2 considers mandatory treatment for offenders with substance abuse problems in four situations:

  1. in prison
  2. as part of a drug-treatment order
  3. as part of a parole order, and
  4. as part of a community-based sanction.

It considers justifications for creating a mandatory treatment regime and the legal mechanisms that may be used to achieve that outcome.

As this is a research paper it does not provide recommendations for action.  Nevertheless, it does consider the strengths and weaknesses of the various mechanisms that could be used to expand the requirements in prison and the community for mandatory treatment for offenders with substance abuse issues in Tasmania.

Mandatory Treatment for Alcohol and Drug Affected Offenders Research Paper (PDF, 618.0 KB)


Sentencing of driving offences that result in death or injury final report

The Sentencing Advisory Council released its final report on sentencing of driving offences that result in death or injury on 26 April 2017.

The report examines the sentences imposed by the Tasmanian courts in cases where a person is seriously injured and killed as a result of a motor vehicle crash. The report provides advice on how any identified problems may be addressed, and makes specific recommendations in the areas of:

  • Restorative justice
  • The availability of comments on passing sentence
  • Renaming the offence of negligent driving
  • Alternative verdicts.

Sentencing of Driving Offences that Result in Death or Injury Final Report (PDF, 1.5 MB)


Mandatory treatment for sex offenders research paper

The Sentencing Advisory Council released its research paper on the implementation of mandatory treatment for sex offenders in custody and in the community on 16 February 2017.

This was Stage 1 of a referral from the Attorney-General to examine putting into effect compulsory offender treatment programs in prison and in the community for a range of offences.

The paper considers mandatory treatment for sex offenders in prison and in the community. It considers the justifications for creating a mandatory treatment regime and the legal mechanisms that may be used to achieve that outcome. However, the paper does not consider the treatment of young sex offenders, nor does it evaluate existing treatment programs.

As this is a research paper it does not provide recommendations for action. Nevertheless, it does set out various models for reform.

Mandatory Treatment for Sex Offenders Research Paper (PDF, 693.1 KB)


Mandatory sentencing for serious sex offences against children final report

The Sentencing Advisory Council investigated the implementation in Tasmania of mandatory minimum sentencing for serious sex offences against children following a request from the Attorney-General. It released its final report on 15 November 2016.

The report is divided into 2 Parts:

  • Part A examines objections to the implementation of a mandatory minimum sentencing scheme in Tasmania and reiterates an earlier Council recommendation that such a scheme not be introduced in Tasmania.
  • Part B discusses the implementation of a mandatory scheme and provides preliminary advice on the structure and coverage of a mandatory scheme, and levels of mandatory minimum sentences.

Mandatory Sentencing for Serious Sex Offences against Children Final Report (PDF, 1.2 MB)


Phasing out suspended sentences

The Sentencing Advisory Council released its final report on phasing out suspended sentences in Tasmania on 30 March 2016.

The paper examines Tasmania's current use of suspended sentences. It then examines how to phase out suspended sentences in Tasmania and makes 55 recommendations concerning the approach to phasing out suspended sentences.

Phasing out Suspended Sentences Final Report (PDF, 4.7 MB)


Sentencing of Adult Family Violence Offenders Final Report

The Sentencing Advisory Council released its final report on the sentencing of adult family violence offenders on 7 December 2015.

The report was prepared following a request from the then Attorney-General, the Hon Brian Wightman MP, following the identification of a number of problems relating to the sentencing of family violence offenders in a series of reports presented to the then Government.

This report provides advice on the sentencing of adult family violence offenders in Tasmania and includes consideration of the range and adequacy of sentencing options and support programs available and the role of specialist family violence lists or courts in dealing with family violence matters. The Council was not required to provide recommendations but the Report offers 12 observations about current sentencing practices for these offences.

Sentencing of Adult Family Violence Offenders Final Report (PDF, 973.9 KB)


Sex Offence Sentencing Final Report 

The Sentencing Advisory Council’s Final Report on Sex Offence Sentencing has been prepared by the Council following the raising of concerns that sentencing for sexual offences in Tasmania was out of step with sentencing for comparable offences in other Australian jurisdictions and/or community standards and expectations.

The terms of reference asked the Council to report on existing sentencing practices in the Tasmanian Supreme Court regarding sex offences and to provide advice on how to address any inadequacies.

The Council was also asked to gauge public opinion on this matter. The research and public responses have been incorporated into this final report which makes 15 recommendations.

Sex Offence Sentencing Final Report (PDF, 1.9 MB)


Non Conviction Sentences Final Report No.3

The Sentencing Advisory Council were asked to provide advice on the implications for an offender of a court not recording a conviction following a finding of guilt, and specifically whether a fine should be able to be imposed if a conviction is not recorded.

Non Conviction Sentences Final Report No.3 (PDF, 1.3 MB)


Assaults on Emergency Service Workers Final Report No.2

This report makes recommendations to the Attorney-General in relation to the issue of assault on emergency service workers in Tasmania.

Assaults on Emergency Service Workers Final Report No.2 (PDF, 439.4 KB)


Arson and Deliberately Lit Fires Final Report No. 1

This report makes recommendations to the Attorney-General in relation to the serious issue of arson and deliberately lit fires in Tasmania.

Arson and Deliberately Lit Fires Final Report No. 1 (PDF, 386.5 KB)