✦ Plain-English Summary

Crimes Amendment (Repeal Mandatory Minimum Sentences) Bill 2025

What it does

This bill removes mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain serious federal crimes, mainly child sexual abuse offences. Instead of judges being forced to hand down a set minimum sentence, they'll have discretion to decide what's appropriate based on each case's individual circumstances.

Why it matters

Mandatory minimums can lock judges into sentences that don't fit the crime—they might be too harsh for someone who cooperated with police, or inflexible when there are genuine mitigating factors. Removing them lets courts tailor punishments to what actually happened, which legal experts and judges have consistently argued produces fairer outcomes.

Key details

• What's removed: Mandatory minimum sentences currently set out in sections 15AAA and 16AAA of the Crimes Act 1914 (mostly relating to Commonwealth child sexual abuse offences)
• Cooperation discount: Courts can still reduce sentences by up to 25% for people who cooperate with law enforcement—this stays intact
• When it applies: The changes kick in the day after Royal Assent, but only apply to convictions occurring after that date (so existing sentences aren't automatically reviewed)

Official Description

Amends the Crimes Act 1914 to remove mandatory minimum sentences for certain offences.

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