Noel McNamara
Encyclopedia
Noel John McNamara is an Australian campaigner for victims of crime and outspoken critic of the Australian justice system. In 1993 Noel established the Crime Victims Support Association (CVSA) with his wife Bev McNamara. The association is politically involved and lobbies the government on criminal law reform
and greater support for victims of crime.
McNamara frequently airs his views in the Australian news media. His 'hardline' approach to crime often conflicts with the views and actions of civil libertarians, the parole board
, members of the legal profession and judge
s. Noel advocates harsher jail sentences for people convicted of murder
, rape
, pedophilia
, culpable driving and other violent crimes. He also advocates the abolition of minimum sentences within the penal system, the abolition of double jeopardy
laws and the abolition of crimes compensation payments to the families of murdered criminals.
Noel was outraged after his eldest daughter Tracey McNamara was brutally murdered in 1992 and the killer only received a 10 years minimum jail
term. Since that time Noel has actively supported victims of violent crime and often personally attends court cases on behalf of victims. His motto is, “To make justice a right, not a privilege.”
Once a year, Noel hosts The Flight of Angels memorial service on the steps of Parliament House
, Melbourne
for victims of homicide
and culpable driving.
Both Noel McNamara and Beverley McNamara received the Order of Australia
(Companion) Medal in 2004 for service to the community, particularly through the Crime Victims Support Association Victoria.
In 2008 Noel initiated an ultimately unsussessful campaign to have the Victorian Attorney-General, Rob Hulls, review the laws of Double Jeopardy (where once a person is acquitted in a criminal trial, he or she can never be prosecuted again for the crime despite new evidence, confessions, or even a proven miscarriage of justice in the original trial). This was in light of the fact that reform has already taken place in the other Australasian jurisdictions of South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and New Zealand.
Law reform
Law reform or Legal reform is the process of examining existing laws, and advocating and implementing changes in a legal system, usually with the aim of enhancing justice or efficiency....
and greater support for victims of crime.
McNamara frequently airs his views in the Australian news media. His 'hardline' approach to crime often conflicts with the views and actions of civil libertarians, the parole board
Parole Board
A parole board is a panel of people who decide whether an offender should be released from prison on parole after serving at least a minimum portion of their sentence as prescribed by the sentencing judge. Parole boards are used in many jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom and the United...
, members of the legal profession and judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
s. Noel advocates harsher jail sentences for people convicted of murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
, rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
, pedophilia
Pedophilia
As a medical diagnosis, pedophilia is defined as a psychiatric disorder in adults or late adolescents typically characterized by a primary or exclusive sexual interest in prepubescent children...
, culpable driving and other violent crimes. He also advocates the abolition of minimum sentences within the penal system, the abolition of double jeopardy
Double jeopardy
Double jeopardy is a procedural defense that forbids a defendant from being tried again on the same, or similar charges following a legitimate acquittal or conviction...
laws and the abolition of crimes compensation payments to the families of murdered criminals.
Noel was outraged after his eldest daughter Tracey McNamara was brutally murdered in 1992 and the killer only received a 10 years minimum jail
Jail
A jail is a short-term detention facility in the United States and Canada.Jail may also refer to:In entertainment:*Jail , a 1966 Malayalam movie*Jail , a 2009 Bollywood movie...
term. Since that time Noel has actively supported victims of violent crime and often personally attends court cases on behalf of victims. His motto is, “To make justice a right, not a privilege.”
Once a year, Noel hosts The Flight of Angels memorial service on the steps of Parliament House
Parliament House, Melbourne
Parliament House in Melbourne, located at Spring Street in East Melbourne at the edge of the Melbourne city centre, has been the seat of the Parliament of Victoria, Australia, since 1855 .- History :In 1851, even before the colony of Victoria acquired full parliamentary self-government, Governor...
, Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
for victims of homicide
Homicide
Homicide refers to the act of a human killing another human. Murder, for example, is a type of homicide. It can also describe a person who has committed such an act, though this use is rare in modern English...
and culpable driving.
Both Noel McNamara and Beverley McNamara received the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(Companion) Medal in 2004 for service to the community, particularly through the Crime Victims Support Association Victoria.
In 2008 Noel initiated an ultimately unsussessful campaign to have the Victorian Attorney-General, Rob Hulls, review the laws of Double Jeopardy (where once a person is acquitted in a criminal trial, he or she can never be prosecuted again for the crime despite new evidence, confessions, or even a proven miscarriage of justice in the original trial). This was in light of the fact that reform has already taken place in the other Australasian jurisdictions of South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and New Zealand.
External links
See also
- CrimeCrimeCrime is the breach of rules or laws for which some governing authority can ultimately prescribe a conviction...
- Crime in AustraliaCrime in AustraliaCrime-wise, Australia is comparatively a safe place to live, though often the perception of crime is much higher. Human smuggling, human trafficking and the illegal drug trade have all impacted Australia in recent years...
- Crime in MelbourneCrime in MelbourneCrime in Melbourne refers to criminal activity in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. One of the main functions of Victoria Police is to detect criminal activity, and prosecutions take place in the Victorian court system....