Pubdate: Sat, 19 Feb 2000
Source: Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
Copyright: 2000 The Sydney Morning Herald
Contact:  GPO Box 3771, Sydney NSW 2001
Fax: +61-(0)2-9282 3492
Website: http://www.smh.com.au/
Forum: http://forums.fairfax.com.au/
Author: Michael Nightingale

LET'S NOT SENTENCE AUSTRALIA TO INJUSTICE

The Prime Minister, Mr Howard, was reported today as saying, in relation to
mandatory sentencing, that Australia would not be told how to make its laws,
and does not answer to the rest of the world.

Surely this is not the same John Howard who spoke stridently against the
proposal for a heroin injecting room in Kings Cross, on grounds that it
violated our international obligations and would place us at odds with
criminal jurisdictions throughout the world?

Maybe it just has to do with Mr Howard's perception of the views of
"regional Australia" on the different issues.

Michael Nightingale, Elizabeth Bay.
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