Bravo, Premier Chris Minns, for a sensible change that will make a difference

It is often said that a good leader has the capacity to listen. On this score, NSW Premier Chris Minns has demonstrated excellent leadership skills by responding to, and then acting upon, serious concerns raised by the community and the Herald about the state’s broken parole notification regime.

A legal loophole that prevents the justice system from warning victims of crime in NSW that their convicted assailants are being considered for release wrongheadedly puts the interests of convicted criminals over their victims, many of whom are still fearful or suffer ongoing trauma.

Authorities take the feelings of victims into account when considering parole, but cannot contact them. That responsibility lies with the Corrective Services NSW Victims Register, but a catch-22 prevents them from taking action unless victims previously agree to being contacted.

The opt-in system is causing heartache for victims of criminals jailed for 12 years or more.

The poor system was highlighted by the alarming case of an off-duty police officer who was bashed with a brick in May 2009 by drug addict Roderick Holohan, who was sentenced to 21 years’ jail. The officer, Samantha Barlow, did not know her assailant was being considered for release until the 11th hour, when a friend contacted her about Holohan.

Barlow was not formally advised of the parole hearing until four days prior, due to cracks in the Victims Register. The register works on an opt-in basis, meaning victims of violent crime need to sign up.

Barlow, who returned to the force after the attack but later left, said the system was back-to-front. “People who have just been through the most traumatic experience in their lives … are expected to possess the logical thinking required to become part of a body that will one day be called upon in relation to parole five, 10 or 15 years later,” she said.

Minns has listened to the concerns of Barlow and has promised the government will now move to an opt-out system for victim notification. “I understand some victims don’t want to be notified, but everyone needs to be in the initial phase, so I’ll be seeking to change the arrangements,” he told reporters.

Through a statement, the Barlow family welcomed the move: “Victims of serious crime have been through enough and are entitled to know what happens to offenders, especially when they are going to be released. We would like to thank the media and the community for the outpouring of support that has been generated over the last 12 days.”