By: Deborah Morris MLA, Chiaka Barry MLA
The Canberra Liberals have strongly condemned the ACT Labor Government’s decision to abandon electronic monitoring of violent offenders, citing cost concerns.
In 2024, following urgent calls to address domestic violence, the Government promised electronic monitoring. It has now dropped the measure, deprioritising a long-called-for community safety tool.
“What price do they put on community safety?” asks Shadow Attorney-General Chiaka Barry MLA.
“Amid extreme community outrage over sentencing for serious offences, Labor has decided this is the moment to tell Canberrans they do not care about community safety.”
“It is astounding that the Minister has determined this critical measure, which would materially improve the safety of victim-survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence, is not a priority. Every other state and territory has electronic monitoring.”
“It is a crucial protection, particularly for high-risk family violence offenders released on bail. It is beyond comprehension that this Government feels it does not deserve funding.”
Shadow Minister for Police Deborah Morris MLA said the decision reflected Labor’s priorities.
“This government can find money for a useless multimillion-dollar electric fire truck, a multimillion-dollar corrupt procurement, an $8.5 million ‘systems and complexity thinker’ and a failed $78 million HR upgrade. But when it comes to protecting victims, suddenly they cannot afford it. Wasteful spending on the flashy and the failed, while the things that actually keep the community safe are dumped,” Ms Morris said.
“This will leave vulnerable women and victims of violence worse off and place increasing pressure on our police and justice system.”
The decision was quietly announced in June but has drawn attention only days after Labor’s sentencing laws faced intense scrutiny following a high-profile Supreme Court decision.
A 16-year-old avoided full-time imprisonment after pleading guilty to violently raping a young woman, with Justice Muller citing the young man’s lack of sexual experience and limited understanding of Australian societal norms as mitigating factors.
“Perhaps if serious offenders on suspended sentences were at least wearing electronic monitoring devices, there would be some minimal reassurance that the Government is considering community safety,” said Ms Barry.
“Too many victims in Canberra feel the criminal justice system is making a mockery of them.”
“The Government’s lacklustre response shows how out of touch they have become. They lack the drive, compassion and commitment needed to govern responsibly. The community is paying the price. A Canberra Liberals Government will not accept this.”
The Canberra Liberals will raise a motion in the Assembly in October calling on the Government to undertake an independent, systematic review of sentencing in the ACT to ensure legislation meets community expectations.