Bar Association Speaks out on Bikie Laws
Friday 1 November 2013 @ 9.32 a.m. | Crime | Judiciary, Legal Profession & Procedure
The Bar Association of Queensland has labelled the dispute between Mr Newman's government and the judiciary as 'regrettable,' and has called for all sides to show respect.
Mr Roger Traves QC, president of the Bar Association, said in a statement that it was inappropriate to comment on the matter, but noted that the dispute risked reducing the public's confidence in the judicial system.
"The Parliament's role is to define the law and penalties for its breach, within constitutional limits that, of course, must be given effect to...The role of the courts is to apply the law. It is inappropriate to disparage the judges who, in individual cases, are called upon to decide how to do so. It is critical also to our system of government that the public have respect for and confidence in the judicial system."
The conflict arose after comments made by Premier Campbell Newman while defending tough new laws for bikie gang members and sex offenders. Newman angered members of the legal community by saying that judges must start acting according to community expectations.
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