ACT Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury has survived a no confidence motion moved against him following his refusal to conduct an independent review into the territory’s sentencing and bail laws.

Shadow police minister Jeremy Hanson moved the no confidence motion in the Legislative Assembly today (October 11) following weeks of community pressure to toughen laws for offenders and re-offenders.

Hanson also presented three petitions on behalf of Tom McLuckie calling for sentencing guidelines for reckless motor-vehicle crimes, a review of ACT sentencing and a review of judicial appointments.

McLuckie’s son Matthew was killed in a head-on collision on Hindmarsh Drive – in Canberra’s south, on May 19.

The Opposition’s calls for bail and sentencing reform also follows Sunday’s (October 9) horror crash, in which a 16-year-old driver on bail crashed into a tree killing two Canberra teenagers.

Hanson said he was “highly disappointed” that the government yet again refused to launch an independent review into bail and sentencing processes.

“It’s clear there has been a loss of confidence from the police and the community in our justice system, in sentencing and bail, and a review would go a long way to re-establish that confidence,” said Hanson.

“It was disappointing today that the Chief Minister and Attorney General wont support that, but the fight isn’t over. We may have lost the battle today but we haven’t lost the war, we will keep fighting.”

Families of victims of crime – who joined Hanson in the Assembly – were  “outraged” after Chief Minister Andrew Barr failed to acknowledge their presence in his speech responding to the no-confidence motion.

“I was very disappointed by Mr Barr, there was no mention of the victims, he’s never passed on any condolences, he’s just shown a general lack of empathy,” McLuckie said.

“There is a systemic problem with the justice system…he’s put his head in the sand.”