- He said ‘soft pedaling’ was becoming all too familiar theme in court sentencing
- Foreign offenders are deported if they are sentenced to a year or more in jail
- Mr Dutton claims the courts have been purposely refraining from harsh penalties
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has accused the Australian court system of going easy on foreign-born criminals so they aren’t deported to their home countries.
He said ‘soft pedaling’ was becoming an all too familiar theme in their sentencing, with judges opting to dish out lighter penalties to keep them on Australian soil.
The country’s tough laws demand foreign offenders be deported if they are sentenced to a year or more in jail.
But Mr Dutton claims the courts have been purposely refraining from imposing such penalties, A Current Affair reports.
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton (pictured) accused the Australian court system of going easy on foreign-born criminals so they aren’t deported to their home countries
His accusation comes as several high profile cases have seen foreign-born criminals walk away with suspended sentences or probation, making them free to stay in the country.
‘Some people are getting a soft touch because they are not citizens of this country,’ he said.
Caleb Maraku was filmed brutally punching a 19-year-old man in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast on November 27 during last year’s Schoolies celebrations.
Maraku was handed a 12-month good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm, and was seen laughing and joking with reporters as he left court.
The Magistrate described Maraku as a ‘very lucky man’, saying his disgusting attack ‘could have ended in this person’s death’.
Caleb Maraku (pictured) was filmed brutally punching a 19-year-old man in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast on November 27 during last year’s Schoolies celebrations
He was handed a 12-month good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm
Mr Dutton said across the board something had to change in order for community expectations surrounding sentencing to be met.
‘If magistrates are imposing softer sentences because they’re worried about somebody being eligible to be deported then that really undermines public confidence in the judiciary and it needs to stop,’ he said.
Criminal lawyer Bill Potts slammed Mr Dutton’s comments, arguing in favour of the country’s justice system.
‘It’s not appropriate for ordinary people in the street to suddenly think that because a minister is criticising the courts, that somehow the system of justice does not work,’ he said.
Criminal lawyer Bill Potts (pictured) slammed Mr Dutton’s comments, arguing in favour of the country’s justice system