For the record
Richard Ackland is incorrect when he says I was a supporter of mandatory sentences (”In a sentence, mandatory terms mean muddles”, February 7). In fact, I stared down and defeated Liberal opponents who in three state elections were advocating mandatory minimum sentences: in 1995 when John Fahey campaigned on Californian-style ”three strikes” sentencing; in 1999 when Kerry Chikarovski campaigned for mandatory minimum sentencing; and in 2003 when John Brogden campaigned for compulsory minimum sentencing. The reason we are having a debate now is that I blocked its introduction, that I defeated Liberals who on three occasions were pushing it.
And for the record, I was never talked out of mandatory sentencing by Chief Justice Jim Spigelman because I never believed in it.
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Thoughtlines with Bob Carr 
Hi there Bob,
What do you believe/support in regards to sentencing?
Regards,
Trudy
Good to see you back on deck and firing, after your international responsibilities.
Good to see you’re back commenting on the Internety thingy bob, always a pleasure to read your comments.
who writes this blog anyway?
Bob. Peter Breen had this letter in the SMH in response:
“Bob Carr (Letters, February 10) has given us a selective report of his legislative record on the subject of mandatory minimum sentencing. He did ‘‘stare down and defeat’’ Liberal opponents on the issue in 1995, 1999 and 2003.
What the former premier failed to mention is that he introduced legislation for mandatory minimum life sentences in 1997, 2001 and 2005 and then boasted about ‘‘cementing in’’ certain prisoners. This legislation has been the subject of numerous appeals including to the United Nations Human Rights Committee.
Mr Carr holds the unenviable record of being the only leader in a common law country outside the USA to sentence children to life in prison.
Peter Breen East Sydney”