2026-05-07
The Greens worked across the Parliament to pass nation-leading reforms in the NSW Upper House that would end consideration of “good character” as a mitigating factor for all sexual offences at the sentencing stage of criminal cases. This will ensure that victim survivors of sexual crimes are not forced to be re-traumatised during court proceedings when references to good character are read in court.
The reform to good character was instigated by Harrison James and Jarad Grice, the incredibly brave and inspiring victim survivors behind ‘Your Reference Ain't Relevant’.
The bill passed with Greens amendments that mean character is still available as a mitigating factor for vulnerable people, consistent with the calls of experts like Domestic Violence NSW and the Aboriginal Legal Service.
Greens MP, Solicitor and spokesperson for Justice Sue Higginson said:
“The passing of this nation-leading bill through the NSW Upper House means we are just one vote away from making significant legal history. That vote now rests with Premier Chris Minns,”
“The Greens amendments were supported by every member of the NSW Upper House with the exception of Labor Government members. The amendments reflected expert advice from stakeholders and evidence provided to a Parliamentary Inquiry,”
“It’s now up to the Government next Tuesday to vote to ensure that victim survivors who have been advocating for this change can see it realised. Victims of sexual offences should never have to hear their perpetrators given a lesser sentence because of ‘good character’,” Ms Higginson said.