In 2018, my sister Katie Haley was brutally murdered by her partner, Shane Robertson. His crime was not just a typical offense; it was an act of extreme violence that went far beyond average offending. The court recognized this, however gave him a below average sentence of 19 years without parole. However, due to legislation enacted by the Victorian government allowing sentence reductions for prisoners under emergency management days - a provision especially impactful during COVID-19 - his punishment is now significantly less.

This reduction in sentences is not only unjust but also poses a significant risk to public safety. Violent offenders like Shane Robertson should serve their full sentences as decreed by the courts without any reductions or early releases. This ensures a form of justice for victims and their families and protects society from potential harm.

In Victoria alone, there are over 7,000 prisoners (source: Australian Bureau of Statistics), many of whom are violent or high-risk offenders who could potentially benefit from these sentence reductions. This means thousands of victims and their families will be facing this reality and injustice. 

We call on the Victorian government to revoke this legislation immediately for violent/high-risk offenders and ensure that they serve their full sentences as initially mandated by our judicial system. Please sign this petition if you believe in upholding justice for victims like Katie Haley and ensuring public safety against violent criminals.