Prevention the key to police murders in Australia

Prevention the key to police murders

Greens MP and justice spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says if Labor and the Opposition were serious about tackling police murders they would ban semi-automatic handguns, not increase sentences after the fact.

"While the major parties point score over who can get tougher on crime, the safety of police and the public continues to be compromised by their reluctance to commit to this simple but effective measure," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The murder of a police officer while on duty is a dreadful occurrence.

"However the major parties enter dangerous territory by establishing distinct sentencing schemes for different workers.

"This proposal distorts a sensitive justice system which gives the judiciary the flexibility to decide sentencing depending on the circumstances of the case.

"The Greens will ask the major parties to justify why they consider the murder at work of a teacher, a nurse or a taxi driver less worthy of attention than the killing of a police officer.

"The banning of semi-automatic weapons long arms in response to the Port Arthur massacre has proven to be effective. Now we need to do the same for hand-guns.

"If the major parties were serious about public and workers' safety they would support the Greens call for legislation to ban semi-automatic handguns," Ms Rhiannon said.

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