Asides

HULLSTOPIA: Hulls gets good run on making crims pay

We love highlighting some Rob Hulls’s silly media releases. But today he’s put out a good one. And got some good play for it too.

After a decade on the job as Attorney-General, he’s conducting a review into ensuring that the perpetrators have crime have to cough up money – assuming they have it – to their victims.

It’s not the strongest possible response to Baillieu’s pledge to scrap suspended sentences but it’s a start.

Media release
From the Deputy Premier and Attorney-General
Tuesday, 2 February, 2010
VICTIMS OF CRIME COMPENSATION SYSTEM TO BE REVIEWED
Victoria’s victim compensation system will be reviewed to ensure people
affected by crime receive the support and assistance they deserve, Deputy
Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls said today.
“The harm caused by crime is particularly insidious – victims not only
suffer immediate physical and monetary damage, but are often left with
ongoing trauma, increased fear and a sense of vulnerability,” Mr Hulls
said.
“The Brumby Labor Government is committed to strengthening the justice
system’s focus on victims. It is timely to review Victoria’s victim
compensation system to ensure it is fair, clear and accessible for victims
of crime.”
Mr Hulls said one option being considered is a levy imposed on offenders to
contribute to a fund for victims’ compensation.
“There is a strong argument that an offender should be accountable for the
injury and damage they cause and to make restitution for the harm,” Mr
Hulls said.
“Establishing a levy would involve creating an enforcement unit and we
would have to consider the resource implications of such a scheme.”
Mr Hulls said the current system of victim compensation included offender
funded orders imposed by criminal courts, Government supported assistance
through the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal or civil litigation.
“Financial support for victims is important because it can assist in
recovery, it recognises the traumatic effects of crime and it holds
offenders to account for the damage caused to victims,” he said.
“The Government has made important reforms to victims’ compensation,
including increasing the amount of state-supported payments for pain and
suffering by 33 per cent and introducing a Victims’ Charter that recognises
the principles that govern the treatment of victims of crime.”
In 2008-09, VOCAT granted more than 3500 awards totalling just under $38.8
million.
The review will assess existing schemes that operate under the Victims of
Crime Assistance Act 1996 and the Sentencing Act 1991. It will consider a
range of possible reforms including options for expediting victim
assistance claims, an increase in awards, and the contribution offenders
should make to the compensation system.
“This review is designed to encourage debate, and I encourage Victorians to
make their views heard,” Mr Hull said.
Submissions to the Victims of Crime Compensation Review can be made to
legalpolicysubmissions@justice.vic.gov.au by 22 February 2010. Further
information as well as the discussion paper and materials for victims can
be obtained at www.justice.vic.gov.au
Media contact: Meaghan Shaw 9651 5799 or 0409 536 652
www.premier.vic.gov.au

© 2010 VEXNEWS 2010©.