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WA to Ban Character References for All Criminal Cases
Attorney-General Tony Buti says the change will stop convicted criminals using glowing references to win lighter sentences in any WA case.
- On Tuesday, Western Australia Attorney-General Tony Buti announced a blanket ban on good character references at sentencing hearings, ensuring sentencing focuses on the crime committed rather than the offender's reputation.
- The Cook government broadened the ban after three Western Power employees provided character references for Jeffrey Spinner, a senior manager jailed for raping a colleague during a work trip.
- Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson confirmed an independent cultural review into Western Power, stating "recent events at Western Power have exposed significant public concern over the use of good character references."
- Perth Lawyer John Hammond criticized the blanket ban as "going in too hard," arguing courts are adept at considering offender history and rehabilitation prospects through character references.
- The Royal Commission previously recommended removing character references in child abuse cases; NSW, Queensland, Victoria, and Tasmania are implementing similar laws governing references at sentencing.
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Total News Sources6
Leaning Left1Leaning Right1Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 25%
C 50%
R 25%
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