The decision to grant an APEC holiday for criminals on periodic detention is further evidence of the Labor Government's incompetent handling of the state's justice system and endangers the integrity of justice in NSW, Shadow Attorney General Greg Smith SC said today. 

“The State Government has had two and a half years to plan for this conference. It is a complete joke that their best plan to accommodate arrests is to give a holiday for prisoners on periodic detention,” Mr Smith said.

“The people of NSW expect that the State Government will uphold and enforce the sentences handed down by the courts, not throw them out the window as a cost-cutting measure,” he said.

“Of course there is a need to ensure order during the APEC summit and provide room for detention of individuals during this time, but it does not have to come at the expense of the ongoing operation of justice.

“It is essential that priority in our prisons is given to those who are convicted of crimes and not for those held on remand.

“The Labor Government has had enough time to come up with alternative arrangements and their failure to plan effectively reflects their casual approach to justice and harms the integrity of sentencing powers.

“When the Iemma Government brought in the APEC Meeting (Police Powers) Bill this issue was never mentioned, debated or discussed.

“The Iemma Government needs to explain whether it is even in the power of the NSW Department of Corrective Services Commissioner to hand out these get-out-of-gaol free cards.

“Victims of crime would rightly feel betrayed by the Labor Government’s undermining of sentencing procedures,” Mr Smith said.