Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I rise regarding the sentencing of a family member of the Northern Territory's Attorney-General for a fatal hit-and-run. An Aboriginal Australian, a Territorian, lost their life. Jake Danby left the scene, and, on appeal, the Northern Territory Supreme Court imposed two years home detention––not one day in jail.

During earlier proceedings, the court heard Jake had described the man he killed as an 'oxygen thief' and said it was 'pretty funny watching them roll around on the road after going over my bonnet', and he texted: 'I ain't getting jail time. I'm a Danby. We don't go to jail.' Not one day in prison. Not a hint of remorse. Not even a statement of regret.

As the Northern Territory's first Chief Minister and former Attorney-General, Paul Everingham, said over the weekend, 'It matters what messages are sent to the community.' I too believe this case raises serious issues that should be taken up by the NTDPP, the Director of Public Prosecutions, in seeking special leave to appeal to the High Court of Australia. Territorians expect accountability, and where confidence is shaken every lawful avenue of appeal should be pursued.