The Minns Labor Government will today introduce landmark legislation to enshrine a Standard Non-Parole Period of 25 years for the murder of a current or former intimate partner, as part of its ongoing work to build a safer New South Wales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This will be the first time in Australia that a specific non-parole period for intimate partner homicide has been legislated. Reflecting the gravity of the crime, the 25-year standard non-parole period will be among the highest of any offence in New South Wales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently, murder carries a standard non-parole period of 20 years. This reform represents a 25% increase, aligning intimate partner murder with other offences that attract the state\u2019s most severe sentencing standards, such as the murder of a child or public officials acting in the course of their duties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Crimes Legislation Amendment (Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences) Bill 2025 will amend the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, following the extraordinary advocacy of Tabitha Acret, mother of Mackenzie Anderson, who was tragically murdered by her former partner in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The murder of a current or former intimate partner is a heinous crime that causes profound harm to victims, families and communities. This legislation ensures our laws reflect both the severity of these offences and the devastating impact they inflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the five years to June 2025, 59 people in NSW were murdered by a current or former intimate partner \u2013 42 of them women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This reform builds on the Minns Labor Government\u2019s ongoing commitment to ensure the justice system protects victim-survivors of domestic and family violence and holds perpetrators to account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This work has included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, the Government has commenced implementation of NSW\u2019s first dedicated Primary Prevention Strategy and delivered record investment in crisis support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Minns Labor Government knows there is more work to be done. It remains steadfast in its commitment to working alongside advocates, experts, and victim-survivors to prevent domestic and family violence, ensure accountability, and stop its devastating impact across New South Wales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI want to thank Tabitha Acret for her incredible courage and advocacy following the tragic loss of her daughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo parent should ever have to endure what Tabitha has, yet she has used her voice to drive real change that will help protect others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis legislation is about recognising the true severity of intimate partner homicide and ensuring our justice system reflects that and holds perpetrators to account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe know laws alone won\u2019t end domestic and family violence, but they do send a powerful signal about what we stand for as a community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Michael Daley, Attorney General said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen a person takes the life of their partner or former partner, it tears families and communities apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA 25-year standard non-parole period reflects the community\u2019s deep sense of outrage and the lasting harm these crimes cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is also about consistency and transparency, ensuring courts have a clear benchmark that reflects the severity of intimate partner homicide.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jodie Harrison, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTabitha Acret\u2019s bravery in speaking out after the loss of her daughter Mackenzie has driven this important reform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHer advocacy has made New South Wales a safer place for women, and I want to thank her for her bravery and compassion in the face of unimaginable loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhile today\u2019s legislation is an important step, we know there is more to do. We will continue working with advocates, experts and victim-survivors to stop violence before it starts and support those impacted to rebuild their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tabitha Acret, reform advocate and mother of Mackenzie Anderson:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Premier Chris Minns and the NSW Labor Government-not just for today\u2019s outcomes, but for the series of legislative changes they are putting into place to address domestic and family violence. While no law can bring back the lives we\u2019ve tragically lost, I truly hope these reforms will serve as a powerful deterrent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen Mackenzie\u2019s murderer\u2019s sentence was announced, it was another heart break that her case could also be used to help free violent offenders earlier. I am so thankful that part of her legacy will now be that future families will not experience the pain we did through the justice system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut laws alone are not enough. The government cannot do this work in isolation – it takes a united community to call out discrimination, to stand against violence, and to build a future grounded in respect and equality. I feel deeply thankful that today\u2019s progress reflects the strength and determination of our community working together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is not the end for me. I remain committed to pushing forward in the prevention space, creating opportunities for gender equality in every aspect of life. Together, we can make lasting change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Support available:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In an emergency, where there is an immediate risk of harm, contact emergency services on Triple Zero (000)<\/p>\n\n\n\n NSW Domestic Violence Help Line: 1800 65 64 63<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1800RESPECT: 1800 7377 32<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Kids Helpline: 1800 55 18 00<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Further information on if you suspect and want to help someone in a domestic violence situation is available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Information on how to spot the signs of coercive control is available here<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Minns Labor Government will today introduce landmark legislation to enshrine a Standard Non-Parole Period of 25 years for the murder of a current or former intimate partner, as part of its ongoing work to build a safer New South Wales. This will be the first time in Australia that a specific non-parole period for … Continue reading “Building a Safer NSW: Tougher Sentences for Intimate Partner Homicide”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35486","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nswnews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35486","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35486"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35486\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35487,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35486\/revisions\/35487"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35486"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35486"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35486"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}