NAOMI LEVIN

TOUGHER sentences for perpetrators of hate crimes are a step closer in Victoria after the Sentencing Advisory Council examined the issue. Led by Professor Arie Freiberg, the Sentencing Advisory Council recommended the Victorian Government legislate to increase sentences for crimes that are motivated by hatred or prejudice.

In its report, the Council said tougher sentences would not only punish the offender, but would also denounce the offender’s actions and “possibly deter other would-be offenders from committing crimes that are motivated by hatred or prejudice”.

Jewish parliamentarian Jennifer Huppert said the Council’s recommendation -– which came just over a month after the government announced plans for tougher hate crime sentences -– meant the change was a step closer to becoming law.

“It shows the government is committed to getting it [the sentencing change] up and running by the end of the year,” she said. “It is obviously a very high priority.”