Does Australia have a death penalty?

Answer 1

Another answer from our community:Well, I am an American citizen, however I believe that capital punishment should be used in any country that has criminals that commit heinous crimes. It doesn't matter what nation you are from, if you kill someone...especially for fun, like serial killers, you should die.

I think the death penalty should be re- introduced in Australia, under a stringent set of criteria.Child murderers such as Dante Arthers will never be re-habilitated,and I object to my taxes being used to feed this animal. Serial thrill killers such as the Claremont killer also deserve to die.I don't think it works as a deterrent, but community safety is the issue.In cases where there is no doubt of guilt,that is DNA evidence, a confession containing information that could only be known by the offender, yes, it should be used.It should not be used for second degree murder.

Answer 2

The strongest argument against the death penalty is that it is sometimes applied to convicted persons who have subsequently been found innocent. While it is possible to release a person who has been jailed, even after many years imprisonment, and to pay compensation if appropriate, it is not possible to restore life to a person who has been wrongly executed. Confessions and even DNA evidence can be falsified or incorrectly established, for various reasons.
It is recognised that the death penalty is not a deterrent, in fact some countries that apply capital punishment also have a very high rate of the most serious offences. Thus, the most intuitive reason for using capital punishment is shown to be flawed.

Using the death penalty to provide a sense of revenge in society arguably creates a culture where revenge is socially acceptable. The public good is better served when justice is provided, but the state is not seen as a role model for revenge.

There is often little monetary saving in executing a criminal. In many cases, the sentence is delayed for several years, while due process takes place. During this time, the criminal is housed and fed, while the state bears its share of the legal expenses involved in appeals. Where cost saving is a significant factor, the risk may be to extend the range and severity of crimes for which the penalty is prescribed.

Many say that the death penalty diminishes the moral standing of the state.

Answer 3

No, Australia does not have the death penalty.

Answer 4

People have been arguing about this ever since it was abolished. In such moral questions, the answer is never clear-cut.

Answer 5

Australia got rid of capital punishment in 1967. The last person to be hung was Ronald Ryan in Victoria. It has since been abolished from the entire of Australia