Neil Gray: “...we will put the needs of victims and the safety of wider society central to the work that we continue to do over the…”

Any form of hatred, prejudice, intolerance or violence on our streets is abhorrent – and perpetrators will be brought to justice.

We must stand against racism, hatred and intimidation and those who would seek to divide our communities.

I recognise that these proposed changes are bold and hope this can contribute to thoughtful debate on the consequences of not addressing a rising prison population and also the outcomes of any sentence for a crime committed.

We should celebrate it. We should protect it and cherish it, and always, always stand up to those who would seek to divide, intimidate, cause fear and alarm, including in this Parliament.