Rights & Justice

South Australians want to feel safe in their state, and rightly so. This means updating existing legislation to protect our most vulnerable members of society and introducing new legislation to address contemporary challenges. 

SA-BEST is dedicated to ensuring justice, safety, and accountability within our communities. Through strategic legislative efforts and advocacy, we have made significant strides in enshrining justice through law in South Australia. Examples of SA-BEST’s work in this area are listed below. Moving forward, SA-BEST remains committed to addressing key issues and implementing necessary reforms to protect individuals and families across the state. The relationship between crime, poverty and reoffence rates has been studied extensively – a restorative justice model looks to mitigate the intersectional effects of these factors through rehabilitation and prison reform.

Expansion of Prisoner Rehabilitation Programs 

Crucial to the concept of restorative justice is the rehabilitation of criminals, such that they can return to society and reduce risks of reoffending. SA-BEST continues to push for rehabilitation programs to be expanded and offered to individuals on remand. We need a restorative justice system that looks to raise the safety and wellbeing of everybody by presenting opportunities for offenders to rehabilitate into society after serving their sentence. 

Ban on Spit Hoods
In response to the tragic death of Wayne 'Fella' Morrison in custody, SA-BEST successfully pushed for the ban on spit hoods. This important measure upholds human dignity and ensures humane treatment within our justice system.

Legislation against Stealthing
In 2022, SA-BEST introduced a bill explicitly listing ‘stealthing’ as negating consent to sexual intercourse. This important legislative change acknowledges the seriousness of this act and provides legal protections for victims.

Stricter Penalties for Sex Offenders and Domestic Abusers
SA-BEST wholeheartedly supports laws that increase penalties for sex offenders and perpetrators of domestic and family violence. Our advocacy contributed to the establishment of a Royal Commission for Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence in South Australia.

Support for Victims of Crime

Recognising flaws in the current compensation scheme for victims of crime, SA-BEST has introduced proposed laws to address these shortcomings. Our efforts have received strong support from the Law Society of South Australia, aiming to ensure fair and adequate compensation for victims. This includes reviewing compensation limits and adjusting legal fee caps to better meet the needs of victims and their representatives.

SA-BEST has also moved amendments to statutes ensuring that all family members and loved ones who experience loss are entitled to submit a Victim Impact Statement without having their closure hindered by technicalities. We will continue to advocate for comprehensive support services for victims of crime, ensuring they receive the necessary assistance and resources to rebuild their lives.

Preventive Measures
SA-BEST prioritises pro-active, preventive measures to address the root causes of crime, including early intervention programs and community-based initiatives aimed at at-risk individuals.

Collaborative Efforts
We will continue to collaborate with community stakeholders, legal experts, and law enforcement agencies to develop and implement effective strategies for crime prevention and victim support.