Fed: PM had to confront Court on mandatory laws Ridgeway

AAP General News (Australia)
04-11-2000
Fed: PM had to confront Court on mandatory laws Ridgeway

The Australian Democrats say Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD must now confront West Australian
Premier RICHARD COURT over the state's mandatory sentencing laws.

Democrats Senator ADEN RIDGEWAY says mandatory sentencing throughout Australia would
be a better outcome than the deal Mr HOWARD has struck on the Northern Territory's laws.

Senator RIDGEWAY, an Aborigine and party spokesman on reconciliation, says the deal
is a step in the right direction but WA's laws still have to be examined.

He says Mr HOWARD should organise a meeting with Mr COURT, as he was forced to do with
NT Chief Minister DENIS BURKE after a backbench revolt.

Democrats Aboriginal affairs spokesman JOHN WOODLEY agrees the mandatory sentencing
issue remains far from resolved.

AAP RTV rmg/mfh/rp/JN

KEYWORD: MANDATORY DEMOCRATS (CANBERRA)

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