McNaughton, Anne; Cossins, Annie; Kriesler, Peter --- "Introduction" [2001] AUJlHRights 12; (2001) 7(2) Australian Journal of Human Rights 1

Introduction

Anne McNaughton, Annie Cossins and Peter Kriesler

Each year the University of New South Wales holds a symposium on matters of considerable public importance and significance. In 2000 the symposium was on mandatory sentencing, a subject not only of great public significance but of great controversy as well. On 28 October, 2000 those attending the symposium heard from an impressive list of speakers including prominent members of Australia's indigenous community, academic community, law and politics. A number of papers prepared for the symposium were distributed on an ad hoc basis to those members of the public who contacted the symposium organisers. In view of the importance of the issues surrounding mandatory sentencing, we felt that a more permanent record of these contributions to the debate was warranted. With that in mind, we offer in the following pages, a selection of papers from the symposium. As you will see, the contributors discuss the complexities of their subject matter thoughtfully and with care. The result is that these issues are made accessible to all readers, irrespective of their familiarity with the subject matter. The issue opens with Sir Gerard Brennan's concluding remarks at the Symposium which are a valuable precis of the proceedings. The ensuing papers canvass a range of topics including a criminological perspective on mandatory sentencing, the impact of mandatory sentencing on human rights and the implications of mandatory sentencing for judicial independence. We commend to you the following contributions from the UNSW Symposium 2000: Mandatory Sentencing: Rights and Wrongs.