Praxidice, I think you're wrong. People have never been more interested in the way the country is run and that's because people have never been so dependent on Government, both as provider and as regulator.

On the other hand, because government is so entwined with individuals, there is very little that can be easily done by an incoming government that will not cause some group to be resentful at a perception that they have missed out, which will draw the attention of media and cause a whole cascade of politicised professional whingeing.

So as a result, a change of government is generally (yes, I know that Rudd was an exception) a case of "the more things change the more they stay the same". Also as a result, what politicians are extremely loath to do is seriously differentiate themselves.

It's not the "sheeple", who are at fault, it's the lazy and poorly educated media who want to see themselves as being a part of the political class and as a result become little more than loudspeakers for the vast number of journalists who really are a part of politics as the propagandists for the parties.

On the subject, I am of the view that violent crimes, especially murder, should require special circumstances for parole to be granted. On the other hand, many lesser crimes, including many drug offences should be reduced to the level of summary offences that carry mandatory fines or other impositions instead of jail. That way minor crooks are able to remain within society and contribute as they probably were before being caught and the jails are genuinely places for hard people to be kept away from the rest of us for our good.

Antiseptic

Earlier in this particular thread, mention was made of the (probably disproportionate) input from educated idiot do-gooders. If this is then norm with the parole system (as appears to be the case), change is needed so that victims have far more input than some disconnected clown who happens to wear the title of 'expert'. My personal experience has been that any government employee who claims to be an 'expert' immediately disqualifies themself. As you observe, Victimless crimes could well be down-rated although I don't believe drug-trafficking can be considered victimless..

I think we differ on a couple of small points. Firstly, the focus on victims is not constructive or in my view healthy. The idea of retributive justive is an old one and it doesn't mix well with a Westminster model. If the crime is heinous, it is heinous and no amount of wailing and gnashing of teeth from victims or their relatives will change that. I have no idea what purpose it is actually intended to serve.

Second, I'm not just including victimless crimes. There are lots of minor crimes against the person or against property that are essentially not worth the trouble to pursue. If a custodial sentence is deemed an essential part of the process, then it should be in a functional working environment doing something that is genuinely useful, not simply jug and it should be well away from the real baddies. Members of crime gangs should attract an automatic extension on any sentence if the crime was related to their gang membership. for example a bikie caught dealing drugs on a large scale or doing standovers would be liable, but the same person caught nicking something from Myers should not.

I don't have any problem with personal consumption of illegal drugs and I similarly have no problem with the local small-scale dealers who make them available. If the intent is to stop crime following them then it is important to get rid of the organised criminals, however.

I reckon you have that completely wrong Antiseptic.

Most of your druggies only contribution is by break & enter with the odd mugging, & bag snatching thrown in.

I have no interest in punishment as such, or attempted rehabilitation, which I see as mostly a waste of time, & merely supports a bunch of psychologists. I just want them off the street, & out of peoples homes.

A few months in work camps, cleaning out national parks, & state forests, eradicating noxious weeds, & reducing fire risk would be suitable repayment of the community, allow them a chance to dry out, & do something useful.

Well hasbeen, I reckon most people I know use an illegal drug of some kind or have done so at some time in their lives. I only know one person who's been to prison and that was for having a pretty large hydroponic marijuana setup. I used to buy his product and it was good.

Of all those people I have only perhaps one or two I'd be wary about putting in temptation's way and none at all I'd hesitate to allow in my home. The couple of exceptions to the first point are unemployed and I'm sure if they saw a bag of buds on the table they'd probably grab some, but I'm also sure they wouldn't otherwise steal. They've had lots of opportunity around here and haven't. I'm the least security conscious person you'll ever meet.

All I'm saying is that the biggest causal factor in petty crime is poverty. Sure, if the poverty stricken person has a drug habit they might be prepared to steal to feed it, but if they're in work, it's easier to just buy it, even if we don't consider personal morality and ethics. On top of that there are no doubt scum-of-the-earth who would be that way regardless and any drugs they take are irrelevant to their basic lousy character.

Anyway, it's not an important aspect of my view, just a personal bias based on my own history.

Well I understand my thoughts may not seem clear to some.
But in law and order health education welfare, indeed in many things I want us to lead.
Rather than Australia follow I think given the chance our bright young people in our bright young country can do it better.
And should.
This thread has not asked why SOME TIMES parole fails the victims and us all, remember some victims come after parole.
I others do not, think costs of imprisonment are in part the reason for early release.
Maybe we can cut those costs, or retrieve some of them from criminals.
But if we became a think tank right here, tasked with answering this question, rebuilding current practice, some truly brilliant thoughts would come.