New Law About Court Letters in New South Wales

May 13, 2026, 05:30
AustraliaPolitics
A2

New Law About Court Letters in New South Wales

Introduction

The government in New South Wales made a new law. Now, people who commit sexual crimes cannot use 'good character' letters to get a shorter prison sentence.

Main Body

The government wanted this rule for all crimes. But other political groups did not agree. Now, the rule is only for sexual crimes. Some people like this law. They say it helps the victims. But some lawyers do not like it. They say these letters help the judge understand the person. The government is now trying again. They want a new law for all crimes. They say this is the best way to help victims.

Conclusion

The law stops these letters for sexual crimes. The government still wants to stop them for all crimes.

Learning

⚖️ How to express 'Contrast'

In the text, we see two opposite ideas. We use the word But to connect them.

The Pattern: [Idea A] →\rightarrow But →\rightarrow [Idea B]

Examples from the text:

  • "The government wanted this rule... But other political groups did not agree."
  • "Some people like this law... But some lawyers do not like it."

Simple Rule: Use But when you want to change the direction of the sentence to a different or opposite opinion.

🛠️ Word Power: Action Words (Verbs)

Look at how the text describes what people do:

  1. Make/Want →\rightarrow To create or desire something (e.g., The government made a new law).
  2. Agree/Like →\rightarrow To have a positive feeling about something (e.g., Some people like this law).
  3. Stop →\rightarrow To end an action (e.g., The law stops these letters).

Vocabulary Learning

government (n.)
The group of people who make laws for a country.
Example:The government will announce new rules tomorrow.
law (n.)
A rule that people must follow.
Example:It is a law that everyone must wear a seatbelt.
new (adj.)
Not old; recently made or started.
Example:She bought a new book yesterday.
people (n.)
Human beings; members of a society.
Example:Many people live in the city.
commit (v.)
To do something, especially a crime.
Example:He can commit a crime if he is careless.
sexual (adj.)
Relating to sex.
Example:The book talks about sexual health.
crimes (n.)
Illegal acts that hurt people.
Example:The police investigate all crimes.
use (v.)
To employ or take advantage of.
Example:You can use this pen to write.
good (adj.)
Positive; not bad.
Example:She has a good smile.
character (n.)
The qualities that make a person.
Example:His character is honest.
letters (n.)
Written messages or evidence.
Example:The lawyer sent several letters.
prison (n.)
A place where people are held for breaking the law.
Example:The thief went to prison for five years.
sentence (n.)
The punishment decided by a judge.
Example:The judge gave a short sentence.
all (adj.)
Every one; entire.
Example:All children must attend school.
political (adj.)
Relating to governments or elections.
Example:The political debate was loud.
victims (n.)
People harmed by a crime.
Example:The police protect the victims.
B2

New Laws on Character Evidence in New South Wales Sentencing

Introduction

The New South Wales government has introduced new laws that stop the use of good character references to reduce the sentences of people convicted of sexual offences.

Main Body

The process of passing this law showed a clear disagreement between the Labor government and the upper house. Premier Chris Minns and Attorney-General Michael Daley originally wanted to remove character evidence for all types of crimes. However, because the government did not have a majority in the upper house, they had to reach an agreement with the Coalition and the Greens. Consequently, the law now only applies to sexual offences. Different groups held strong views on this issue. The #YourReferenceAintRelevant campaign, led by survivors Harrison James and Jarad Grice, argued for a total ban to stop offenders from appearing as 'good people' during court. On the other hand, legal organizations such as Legal Aid NSW and the NSW Bar Association expressed concerns. They emphasized that character evidence is important for rehabilitation. Furthermore, Domestic Violence NSW warned that removing this evidence could unfairly harm vulnerable people in domestic conflict cases. Because the final law was more limited than they wanted, the government has introduced the original, broader plan as a new bill. Attorney-General Daley asserted that this move is necessary to put political pressure on the Coalition and the Greens, whom he accused of ignoring the needs of victims.

Conclusion

Although character references are now banned for sexual offences, the government is still trying to achieve a total ban for all criminal sentencing.

Learning

The 'Connective Leap'

At an A2 level, you likely use and, but, and because. To move toward B2, you must replace these with Logical Connectors. These words act like road signs, telling the reader exactly how two ideas relate.

⚡ The 'Logic Shift' Analysis

Look at how this article connects complex ideas. Instead of simple words, it uses Advanced Transitions:

  • Contrast (The "Opposite" Sign):

    • A2 Style: "They wanted a total ban, but others disagreed."
    • B2 Style (from text): "On the other hand, legal organizations... expressed concerns."
    • B2 Style (from text): "Although character references are now banned..."

  • Result (The "Effect" Sign):

    • A2 Style: "They didn't have a majority, so they changed the law."
    • B2 Style (from text): "Consequently, the law now only applies to sexual offences."

  • Addition (The "More Info" Sign):

    • A2 Style: "They said it's important and they warned about victims."
    • B2 Style (from text): "Furthermore, Domestic Violence NSW warned..."

🛠️ Application Strategy

To sound more fluent, stop using so to start a sentence. Try this replacement map:

If you want to say...Use this B2 wordExample from the Text
"And also..."Furthermore"Furthermore, Domestic Violence NSW warned..."
"So / Therefore..."Consequently"Consequently, the law now only applies..."
"But..."On the other hand"On the other hand, legal organizations..."

Pro Tip: Notice that Consequently and Furthermore are followed by a comma (,). This is a key punctuation habit for B2 academic writing.

Vocabulary Learning

disagreement (n.)
A difference of opinion or a lack of agreement between people or groups.
Example:There was a disagreement between the two parties over the allocation of funds.
majority (n.)
The greater number or part of a group; more than half.
Example:The majority of voters chose the new policy.
agreement (n.)
A mutual understanding or arrangement between parties.
Example:They reached an agreement on the terms of the contract.
coalition (n.)
An alliance of different groups or parties working together.
Example:The coalition of small businesses supported the initiative.
ban (v.)
To prohibit or forbid something.
Example:The council decided to ban smoking in public parks.
appearing (v.)
To be present or show up.
Example:He was appearing in court next week.
legal (adj.)
Relating to the law.
Example:She gave legal advice to the client.
concerns (n.)
Worries or matters of interest.
Example:The new regulations raised many concerns among the community.
emphasized (v.)
To give special importance or attention to something.
Example:The teacher emphasized the importance of studying.
important (adj.)
Of great significance or value.
Example:It is important to follow safety guidelines.
rehabilitation (n.)
The process of restoring someone to health or normal life.
Example:Rehabilitation programs help offenders reintegrate into society.
domestic (adj.)
Relating to home or family life.
Example:Domestic violence is a serious issue.
conflict (n.)
A serious disagreement or argument.
Example:The conflict between the two teams escalated.
unfairly (adv.)
Without fairness or justice.
Example:She was treated unfairly by the judge.
vulnerable (adj.)
Easily hurt or harmed.
Example:The report highlighted the vulnerable children in the area.
introduced (v.)
To bring something new into use.
Example:The government introduced new regulations yesterday.
asserted (v.)
To state firmly or confidently.
Example:He asserted his innocence in the press conference.
necessary (adj.)
Required or essential.
Example:It is necessary to wear a helmet while riding a bike.
political (adj.)
Relating to politics or government.
Example:The political debate attracted a large audience.
pressure (n.)
Force or influence to make someone do something.
Example:The pressure from the public led to policy changes.
C2

Legislative Amendment Regarding the Admissibility of Character Evidence in New South Wales Sentencing.

Introduction

The New South Wales government has implemented reforms that prohibit the use of good character references as mitigating factors in the sentencing of sexual offence perpetrators.

Main Body

The legislative trajectory of this reform was characterized by a divergence in objectives between the Labor government and the upper house. The administration, led by Premier Chris Minns and Attorney-General Michael Daley, initially proposed a comprehensive abolition of character evidence across all criminal categories. However, due to the government's minority position in the upper house, the passage of the bill necessitated a rapprochement with the Coalition and the Greens. Consequently, the scope of the legislation was restricted exclusively to sexual offences. Stakeholder positioning revealed a tension between victim advocacy and judicial discretion. The #YourReferenceAintRelevant campaign, spearheaded by survivors Harrison James and Jarad Grice, advocated for a total ban to prevent the perceived glorification of offenders during proceedings. Conversely, institutional bodies—including Legal Aid NSW, the NSW Bar Association, and the Law Society of NSW—expressed reservations regarding a blanket prohibition, citing the role of character evidence in facilitating rehabilitation. Furthermore, Domestic Violence NSW posited that the absence of such evidence could prejudice vulnerable individuals misidentified as perpetrators within domestic conflict scenarios. In response to the scaled-back legislation, the government has re-introduced the original, broader reforms via a separate bill. This action serves as a mechanism to exert political pressure on the Coalition and the Greens, whom Attorney-General Daley has accused of neglecting the interests of victim-survivors.

Conclusion

While the current law now excludes character references for sexual offences, the government continues to seek a total ban for all criminal sentencing.

Learning

The Architecture of Nominalization and 'Academic Density'

To bridge the gap from B2 (where communication is clear and functional) to C2 (where communication is precise and authoritative), one must master Nominalization. This is the process of turning verbs or adjectives into nouns to shift the focus from actions to concepts.

Observe this specific evolution from the text:

"The legislative trajectory of this reform was characterized by a divergence in objectives..."

The C2 Mechanism: Conceptual Displacement At a B2 level, a writer might say: "The government and the upper house disagreed on what they wanted to achieve as the law changed." While correct, this is narrative. The C2 version is conceptual.

  • "Legislative trajectory" →\rightarrow Replaces the process of changing a law with a spatial metaphor (a path/trajectory), suggesting a formal, inevitable movement.
  • "Divergence in objectives" →\rightarrow Instead of using the verb disagree, the writer creates a noun phrase. This allows the "divergence" to become the subject of the sentence, treating the disagreement as an objective phenomenon rather than a personal conflict.

High-Utility Lexical Precision

Beyond structure, C2 mastery requires words that carry specific political and social weight. Notice these three selections:

  1. Rapprochement /ˌræprəˈʃɒnmə̃/
    • Nuance: Not just an "agreement," but the re-establishment of harmonious relations between parties who were previously estranged. It implies a diplomatic process.
  2. Blanket prohibition
    • Nuance: "Blanket" functions here as an adjective meaning "total" or "all-encompassing." It suggests a lack of nuance or exception, often used in legal critiques.
  3. Posited
    • Nuance: More formal than "suggested" or "argued." To posit is to put forward a premise as the basis for an argument.

The 'Formal Pivot' Technique

Look at how the author handles conflict:

  • "...the passage of the bill necessitated a rapprochement..."

By using "necessitated," the author removes human agency. It wasn't that the politicians decided to talk; it was that the situation made it necessary. This "distancing" is a hallmark of C2 academic and legal English, providing an air of objectivity and inevitability.

Vocabulary Learning

trajectory (n.)
The path or course that something follows over time.
Example:The trajectory of the bill shifted dramatically after the opposition’s counter‑motion.
divergence (n.)
A point or points at which two or more lines or courses separate or differ.
Example:The divergence in objectives between the Labor government and the upper house stalled progress.
mitigating (adj.)
Acting to lessen the severity or impact of something.
Example:Good character references were considered mitigating factors in sentencing.
comprehensive (adj.)
Complete and covering all or nearly all elements or aspects.
Example:The proposal called for a comprehensive abolition of character evidence.
abolition (n.)
The act of formally ending or abolishing something.
Example:The abolition of character references was a key demand of the reformers.
necessitated (v.)
Made necessary; required as a consequence.
Example:The minority position necessitated a rapprochement with the Coalition.
rapprochement (n.)
An establishment of friendly relations after a period of hostility or disagreement.
Example:A rapprochement with the Greens was essential for the bill’s passage.
tension (n.)
A state of mental or emotional strain or conflict.
Example:Stakeholder positioning revealed a tension between victim advocacy and judicial discretion.
advocacy (n.)
Active support or promotion of a cause or policy.
Example:The campaign’s advocacy sought to influence public opinion on the ban.
discretion (n.)
The quality of being careful, especially in speech or action.
Example:Judicial discretion allows judges to weigh character evidence in sentencing.
glorification (n.)
The act of praising or idealizing someone or something.
Example:Critics feared the ban would prevent the perceived glorification of offenders.
prohibition (n.)
A ban or restriction on something.
Example:A blanket prohibition on character evidence raised concerns about fairness.
facilitating (v.)
Making something easier or possible.
Example:Character evidence is said to facilitate rehabilitation of offenders.
rehabilitation (n.)
The process of restoring someone to a healthy or normal state.
Example:Rehabilitation programs rely on evidence of good character to assess progress.
prejudice (n.)
A preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or experience.
Example:The absence of evidence could prejudice vulnerable individuals mistakenly labeled as perpetrators.
misidentified (adj.)
Incorrectly identified or recognized.
Example:Misidentified victims may be wrongly charged under the new law.
scaled‑back (adj.)
Reduced in scope or intensity.
Example:The scaled‑back legislation limited the ban to sexual offences only.
exert (v.)
To apply force, influence, or effort.
Example:The government uses the bill to exert political pressure on the opposition.
political (adj.)
Relating to the government or public affairs of a country.
Example:The move was seen as a purely political maneuver rather than a legal necessity.
pressure (n.)
Force applied to influence or compel action.
Example:The bill was a tool for exerting pressure on the coalition partners.
neglecting (v.)
Failing to give proper attention or care.
Example:Daley accused the coalition of neglecting the interests of victim‑survivors.
vulnerable (adj.)
Susceptible to physical or emotional harm or injury.
Example:Vulnerable individuals may suffer from unjust accusations.
conflict (n.)
A serious disagreement or argument.
Example:Domestic conflict scenarios often involve complex legal questions.
scenario (n.)
A possible sequence of events or situation.
Example:The law’s impact on various scenarios was a major point of debate.
re‑introduced (v.)
Introduced again after being withdrawn or suspended.
Example:The government re‑introduced the original reforms via a separate bill.
broader (adj.)
More extensive or encompassing.
Example:The broader reforms aimed to address a wider range of criminal cases.
total (adj.)
Complete; absolute.
Example:The campaign demanded a total ban on character references.
criminal (adj.)
Relating to crime or the punishment of crimes.
Example:Criminal sentencing guidelines are often revised to reflect societal values.
sentencing (n.)
The act of determining the punishment for a convicted person.
Example:Sentencing decisions now exclude character references for sexual offences.