Laws for nation’s toughest DV murder penalty introduced
Lloyd Jones |
The strongest penalty in Australia for domestic violence murder is set to be introduced by a crime-troubled territory.
Domestic violence murderers will face a mandatory non-parole period of 25 years in jail under new sentencing laws in the Northern Territory.
Under current NT law, anyone convicted of murder receives at least 20 years in prison.
NT Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby on Tuesday said new legislation would be introduced this week to amend her jurisdiction’s Sentencing Act
The NT had the highest rates of domestic and family violence in the country, particularly impacting Aboriginal women who comprise 89 per cent of all DV victims and are seven times more likely to die, she said.
“I will introduce the strongest sentencing for DV murder in the country,” she said on the first day of NT parliament for 2026.
In most jurisdictions non-parole periods are not specifically set for domestic violence murders.
However, NSW late in 2025 passed legislation that introduced a non-parole period of 25 years for the murder of a current or former partner.
The NT legislation will be introduced after almost 100 women were murdered by their partner since 2000, Ms Boothby said.
“This will send a clear message to the community that if you murder your partner you will spend the rest of your life in jail,” she said.
“There will be no discounts, no excuses, and no second chances.”
Convicted murderers face mandatory non-parole periods of 25 years in Victoria and 20 years in NSW, South Australia and Queensland.
Ahead of NT parliament resuming Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said her government would continue to prioritise law and order and put crime victims first, not offenders.
She also announced the first use of new powers allowing the territory coordinator to override NT laws to promote economic development.
Ms Finocchiaro declared a Territory Development Area on Darwin Harbour to create a 246-hectare Northern Marine Complex.
The complex would be a service hub for marine vessels and incorporate a $820 million ship lift project which has been dogged by delays and cost blowouts since it was announced in 2015.
Just under one year ago the Territory Coordinator Act gave the chief minister and Territory Coordinator Stuart Knowles the power to override NT laws that might block projects of economic significance.
The co-ordinator was empowered to do what was necessary to make sure the marine complex was a well co-ordinated project that delivered for the NT well into the future, the chief minister told reporters.
She cited an independent analysis predicting the project would deliver $924 million in public benefits for the territory along with an estimated 287 jobs.
AAP
