27 May 2009

Fears 'three strikes' law may put witnesses at risk

10:53 pm on 27 May 2009

The Law Society has warned Parliament that the proposed "three-strikes" sentencing law could lead to offenders killing witnesses to avoid a third conviction.

Parliament's Law and Order select committee is hearing submissions on a bill that would introduce a minimum 25-year sentence without parole for a third violent or sexual conviction.

The Law Society's Jonathan Krebs told MPs that the "three strikes" law would not deter offenders but rather encourage them to "take out" witnesses to avoid a third conviction.

He says there is evidence of that happening in the United States.

Mr Krebs says the bill is not needed, as judges already have the option of preventive detention to take serious repeat offenders off the streets indefinitely.

But the law's main proponent, ACT MP David Garrett disputes Mr Krebs' claim about witnesses being killed and pointed to research showing such policies do have a deterrent effect.