NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet

05/05/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/04/2026 20:19

Minns Labor Government rejects Opposition bid to gut ‘good character’ reforms

The Opposition's amendments lodged today would gut the bill and mean victim-survivors would still have to sit through the trauma of hearing their perpetrator described as a 'good person' in court.

The amendments would have the effect of removing good character for sexual offences. But they would otherwise retain 'good character' as a mitigating factor at sentencing and allow the court discretion as to whether they give this weight.

This means a court would still be able to find someone is of otherwise 'good character' despite them being convicted of offending that involves antisemitism like inciting racial hatred, domestic and family violence homicide or dangerous driving causing death.

Our nation-leading reforms announced earlier this year are designed to ensure offenders convicted of serious crimes cannot rely on character references to mitigate their sentence.

The legislation forms part of the Minns Labor Government's broader agenda to strengthen protections for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence and improve the integrity and consistency of sentencing outcomes across NSW.

Advocates, including road trauma victims and domestic violence survivors, have been calling for these changes for years, arguing the current system allows offenders to benefit from personal testimonials that are often irrelevant to the harm caused.

This NSW Sentencing Council made its position clear about this approach. They said giving courts this discretion would still leave good character operating as a mitigating factor and would not address many of the concerns raised in this review.

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

"The Opposition's attempt to gut the Minns Labor Government's nation-leading reforms to 'good character' evidence at sentencing is disgraceful and insulting to victims.

"They want serious criminals involved in organised crime, domestic violence and murder to have their sentences mitigated because the Opposition says they are of 'good character'.

"We will not be accepting the Opposition's attempts to water down these vital reforms.

"The question for the Legislative Council is simple, whose side are they on? Are they on the side of victims, or are they on the side of perpetrators?"

Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

"These reforms recognise the lived experience of victim-survivors and ensure the justice system does not compound their trauma.

"Good character references have too often been used to minimise or excuse serious violence, particularly in domestic and family violence cases.

"No victim should have to sit in a courtroom and hear the person who harmed them described as 'a good person' or 'of strong character'.

"We will not support any changes that weaken these protections or take us backwards.

"This is about respect for victim-survivors and making sure the system reflects the seriousness of these crimes."

Your Reference Ain't Relevant Cofounder Harrison James said:

"No survivor should have to sit in court and hear the person who harmed them praised for their so-called 'good character' after conviction. That should not be controversial.

"To then see a watered-down version of this bill put forward as an alternative is deeply disappointing and genuinely disturbing.

"I have reached out to a number of members of the Coalition in good faith because I wanted to have a genuine discussion and offer the perspective of a victim-survivor who has fought for this reform for three and a half years. I have been met with silence.

"For victim-survivors like me, this feels like a slap in the face. We have carried this issue, spoken about our pain publicly, relived some of the worst moments of our lives, and pushed for change because we believed Parliament would listen."
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