Laws creating a new offence for manslaughter committed by shooting a gun passed the Victorian Parliament Thursday after years of campaigning by family members of women killed by their partners.
The State Government introduced the legislation earlier this year in response to concerns about sentencing in cases where people who shot someone dead were not prosecuted or convicted for murder.
In one of those cases, the man who shot Mildura woman Karen Belej in the head in 2016 received a non-parole period of just six years after pleading guilty to manslaughter.
The new 'homicide by firearm' offence carries a standard sentence of 13 years imprisonment and a maximum jail term of 25 years.
Maximum penalties for manslaughter, child homicide, and workplace manslaughter will also increase from 20 to 25 years.
The family of Ms Belej, a White Ribbon advocate who campaigned against domestic violence, welcomed the reforms.
"The passing of this law validates the work of many advocates before us and the voice of the community who called for sentencing deficiencies for these sorts of crimes to be addressed," the Belej family said in a statement.
"While today we remember all those that have been victims of homicide by firearm, it is time to look forward and pray this new law never needs to be used."
Attorney-General Jill Hennessy said the increased manslaughter penalties acknowledged the "ongoing trauma inflicted on the family and loved ones of victims".
"Thank you to the families who have acted with dignity and determination in advocating for the new offence of homicide by firearm," she said.
"The victims in these cases must not be forgotten."
Murder charge downgraded to manslaughter
Victoria's new laws follow a long campaign by Ms Belej's family and other advocates for tougher sentencing for violent crimes.
Ms Belej was 31 years old when her partner Brandon Osborn killed her in their home on May 1, 2016.
Osborn held a revolver to her head and pulled the trigger, knowing there was one round in the cylinder.
Police initially charged Osborn with murder, but the former bikie gang member said he believed the firing chamber was empty and did not mean to fire the gun.
Prosecutors then downgraded the charge to manslaughter in a plea deal because they would not have been able to disprove Osborn's claim.
He was sentenced to a maximum of nine years in prison and could be eligible for parole as soon as 2022.
Prosecutors appealed to have Osborn's term extended in 2018 but the original sentence was upheld.
'Strong message to perpetrators'
The case sparked a large community response in north-west Victoria.
About 9,000 people signed a petition calling for stronger laws following Osborn's sentencing in 2017.
After years of work by the Belej family, the Victorian Government promised it would make reforms this year.
"We saw a couple of cases, particularly in relation to manslaughter involving a firearm, and we saw a clear deficiency in the law," Premier Daniel Andrews said in February.
"We made a commitment … to the Belej family that we would look at this matter, and we have."
Former Mildura MP Peter Crisp, who campaigned for tougher sentences while he was in Parliament, said "reassuring and strong" community support made the changes possible.
"I am relieved that Karen's Law is now law," he said.
"Particularly for the Belej family who showed great courage to not only grieve for Karen, but to work to make sure a strong message is sent to perpetrators."
