PRISONER VOTING RESTRICTIONS ENSURING JUSTICE

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2 2036 WILL MARK OUR STATE S BICENTENARY By the time our State turns 200 years old, I want South Australia to be a place of prosperity. Planning and delivering on my vision for a better future starts now. This policy is just part of our plan to deliver a clear and responsible pathway to recovery and success. See where it fits in below 1.0 GROWING OUR ECONOMY 2.0 THE BEST EDUCATION SYSTEM 3.0 BEING A HEALTHY STATE 4.0 STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES 5.0 BUILDING OUR STATE 6.0 ENSURING SAFETY AND JUSTICE 6.2 Reducing criminal behaviour through efficient, effective policing and a corrections system that reduces reoffending 6.5 Delivering a safer community through a fair and transparent justice system 7.0 PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT 8.0 EMBRACING OUR UNIQUE CULTURE 9.0 RUNNING AN EFFICIENT AND STABLE GOVERNMENT

3 South Australians deserve a corrections system that is effective in reducing criminal behaviour and making our neighbourhoods safer.

4 EFFECTIVE PENALTIES FOR SERIOUS CRIMES We need to ensure penalties imposed by the courts deter potential criminals and adequately punish those who do commit crimes. If their offending is serious enough to warrant a significant prison term, they become a burden on society. Their crimes have victims while all law-abiding citizens must meet the substantial cost of keeping them in prison. By maintaining a consistent and principled approach to justice, we will ensure that our system carries the confidence of the community and actively contributes to community safety. The penalty must fit the crime. In many countries, convicted criminals serving a significant term of imprisonment are denied the vote. This restriction was applied in the United Kingdom as long ago as In Australia, no person sentenced to three or more years imprisonment can vote at a Federal election. South Australia is the only state which does not impose restrictions upon prisoners voting. It is time South Australia caught up with all the other states. South Australia is the only state which does not impose restrictions upon prisoners voting.

5 THE STATE LIBERALS PLAN If you are guilty of a serious breach of the law, you cannot also vote to make the law. If elected in 2018 a Marshall Liberal Government will prevent prisoners voting in State Elections if they are convicted of a crime so serious that they are sentenced to a term of three or more years. The denial of the right to vote will apply for the duration of their sentences. Rehabilitation is an important aspect of imprisonment. But deterrence is equally important through the denial of a range of freedoms. Prisoners are denied their liberty and their freedom of association. The Liberals believe for the time they are imprisoned for serious crimes they should also lose their right to vote. People who have shown no respect for the law by breaking it in a way which requires the courts to impose a significant term of imprisonment have broken their contract with society to be lawabiding and should lose the right to have a say in how they are governed. If you are guilty of a serious breach of the law, you cannot also vote to make the law.

6 Criminals need to realize that when they commit serious offences, they forfeit some of their rights, including the right to vote Steven Marshall, State Liberal Leader

7 If you would like to provide feedback on our policy or learn more about our plan, please get in touch via: The Office of Steven Marshall MP Parliament House - North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000 Phone: steven@stevenmarshall.com.au Web:

8 marshall2036.com.au