Miles,the leader of Labor’s dominant Left faction,told reporters in Brisbane on Friday that the government had given courts “the tools and resources” and expected them to act.
“We cannot stand for a media stunt like this one from someone who clearly does not agree with our laws designed to keep dangerous offenders out of the community,” Miles said,while saying the courts should be independent.
“This media stunt is putting the community of Townsville in danger. It should not be happening. We cannot allow the safety of Townsville residents to be held to ransom by rogue courts and rogue justices.”
Rebecca Fogerty,vice president of the Queensland Law Society – the peak body for legal professionals in the state – labelled Miles’ comments inappropriate.
“They undermine faith in the criminal justice system and directly encroach on the separation of powers ... a fundamental tenet of our legal system and what separates us from police states.
“Those sorts of politicised comments undermine that cardinal aspect of our legal system.”