Labor out of touch on 'three strikes' law: Premier

28/3/00
Premier Richard Court says the Labor Party is leading the charge to overturn Western Australia's 'three strikes' law.
Mr Court said last night's decision by the Western Australian branch of the ALP to support moves to override the law was the latest example of Labor's opposition to mandatory sentencing.
"The Federal Labor leader Kim Beazley has been a strident critic of Western Australia's position and even ran to the United Nations in an effort to step up the pressure on his own home State," the Premier said.
"Last week the Attorneys General from the Labor States tried to gang up on WA and force us to change our law.
"Labor keeps on talking about the rights of young offenders, but they seem to have no regard for the rights of victims of crime.
"The 'three strikes' law reflects the WA community's calls for a tough approach to repeat offenders. Last night's decision by the ALP's State Executive confirms that the Labor Party is either out of touch or doesn't care about the views of WA people."

Media contact: Casey Cahill 9222 9475