As always, for me, it's an opportunity to take part in an event that many cannot; for myriad reasons.
It continues to be a powerful reminder to me of the lives taken in Domestic Homicide and how some changes take place whilst much remains to be changed.
Angela Hartwig - CEO Women's Council for Family and Domestic Violence spoke calmly and strongly about many issues, including that very good legislation recently introduced to the parliament was defeated.
I've scanned an article from Saturday's West Australian with comments by Attorney General (WA).
Completely outrageous and on so many levels that it is difficult to know where to start. There is no doubt that the current legislative framework needs to be strengthened and clarified in relation to the 'unlawful assault causing death' law that was introduced in 2008. However, I don't believe that this is where the true injustice lies in this case. Putting aside for one moment the completely inadequate sentence handed down to Bradley Jones and the Barnett Govt's recent decision to block the Saori's Law amendment that was put forward by the Labor Opposition... The focus should be more on the issue of the DPP downgrading the original manslaughter charge to the clearly unfit for purpose 'unlawful assault causing death'. It just doesn't stick with me that there wasn't enough to evidence to pursue a manslaughter/murder charge considering the state has convicted individuals in the past without so much as finding a body. Surely the deliberate concealing of a body for 10 days and the failing to call for medical attention counts for something?? My view is that it was just plain easier for the DPP to settle for convicting Jones on a charge of assault causing death instead of putting in the time, expense and effort required to prosecute Jones on a more serious charge at trial. THAT is the true injustice in this case.
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