❓ Ms. Quirk asks the Attorney General about potential law changes following the Matthew Silvestro case, where no charges were laid for the death of an 8-month-old foetus in a car crash. The Attorney General confirms proposed law changes to strengthen penalties for violence against pregnant women resulting in the death of an unborn child, including dangerous driving offences.
AnsweredQoN 7244Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the recent case involving Matthew Silvestro and community concerns that no charges could be laid in relation to an 8 month old foetus killed in a car crash as a result of his actions, and I ask:
(a) will the Minister be considering any changes to the law to redress this situation; and
(b) if not, why not?
(a) will the Minister be considering any changes to the law to redress this situation; and
(b) if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
20 March 2012
Response time
27 days
1) Yes
The proposed laws, based on that which operates in Queensland, would strengthen the penalties for cases involving violence against pregnant women which resulted in the death of an unborn child. They would carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The laws would also extend to dangerous driving offences which caused the death of an unborn child. These would be dealt with in the District Court and carry maximum imprisonment of 20 years.
2) Not applicable
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The proposed laws, based on that which operates in Queensland, would strengthen the penalties for cases involving violence against pregnant women which resulted in the death of an unborn child. They would carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The laws would also extend to dangerous driving offences which caused the death of an unborn child. These would be dealt with in the District Court and carry maximum imprisonment of 20 years.
2) Not applicable
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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