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Push for mandatory life sentences for domestic violence murders in NSW

Independent MP Phil Donato tables bill targeting killings under ADVO or while on bail

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time3 min
The New South Wales government is facing renewed calls to introduce mandatory life sentences for people convicted of domestic violence murders, particularly when an apprehended domestic violence order is in place or the perpetrator is on bail for domestic violence charges. Independent MP Phil Donato has tabled a motion in state parliament to bring the Crimes Amendment (Mandatory Life Sentences) Bill 2026, citing community outrage over sentences that he says fail to reflect the gravity of these crimes.

Phil Donato, the independent member for Orange, said the reform would send a clear message that killing a partner in a domestic violence context will result in life imprisonment. “We need to come down hard on this. Too many women and children are being killed at the hands of partners or former partners across Australia,” Donato said. “If we’re fair dinkum about wanting to send a clear message… you will spend the rest of your life in jail.”

The proposed bill would mandate life sentences for anyone who kills their current or former partner while an ADVO is in force or if the accused was on bail for domestic violence charges. It would also apply when the victim is a child under 18.

Donato is preparing the legislation after Daniel Billings was sentenced to 35 years, reduced to 28 years due to a guilty plea, for the murder of Forbes woman Molly Ticehurst in April 2024. Billings received a non-parole period of 20 years, meaning he could be eligible for release in 18 years because of time already served. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said it would “consider the sentence imposed in accordance with Prosecution Guidelines”.

The NSW government previously passed reforms after Ticehurst’s murder, including tougher bail laws and a 25-year standard non-parole period for intimate partner homicides. However, a final sentence remains at the discretion of the presiding judge, who can apply discounts for early guilty pleas.

“In my views, those sentences don’t reflect not only the objective seriousness but the community expectations around sentencing for domestic violence offenders,” Donato said. He noted that four people lost their lives over a recent weekend and called for stronger deterrents.

A spokesperson for NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley said the maximum penalty for murder is already life imprisonment, and a 25-year standard non-parole period for intimate partner homicides is in place. “This is in addition to numerous reforms including strengthening stalking and bail laws,” the spokesperson said.

Donato hopes the bill will be debated by the end of the year.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • Mandatory life sentences would remove judicial discretion in certain domestic violence murder cases, potentially increasing deterrence but also raising concerns about proportionality and the role of early guilty pleas.
  • The push follows public outrage over the sentence given to Daniel Billings, who may be released in 18 years after murdering his former partner Molly Ticehurst while on bail despite a history of domestic violence.
  • If passed, NSW could become a national leader in domestic violence sentencing, potentially prompting other states to adopt similar legislation.

Background

Domestic violence murders have been a persistent issue in Australia, with high-profile cases often sparking calls for tougher penalties. After Molly Ticehurst’s murder in April 2024, the NSW government introduced “Molly’s Law” reforms, including stricter bail conditions and electronic monitoring for alleged domestic violence offenders. A 25-year standard non-parole period for intimate partner homicides was also introduced, but judges retain the ability to set lower sentences for factors such as guilty pleas. Phil Donato’s bill would override that discretion in specific aggravated circumstances.

Key Perspectives

[Independent MP Phil Donato]: Argues current sentences are too lenient and fail to deter domestic violence murders. He believes mandatory life sentences will send an unambiguous message and reduce deaths. [NSW Government (Attorney-General’s office)]: Maintains that existing laws are adequate, including a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a 25-year standard non-parole period. The government may argue that mandatory sentences remove judicial flexibility and could lead to injustices. [Legal experts and critics]: May raise concerns about mandatory sentencing stripping judges of discretion, particularly for cases where early guilty pleas spare victims’ families from trial trauma. They may also question whether tougher sentences alone reduce domestic violence without broader preventive measures.

What to Watch

  • Whether the bill gains cross-party support or faces opposition from the government and legal stakeholders.
  • The outcome of the sentence review for Daniel Billings — the DPP is considering whether to appeal.
  • Potential national impact: if NSW passes mandatory life sentences, other states may consider similar reforms.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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