Victoria magistrate’s training faces controversy

Victorian judges have been trained on how to avoid imposing sentences that would lead to violent immigration offenders such as pedophiles and drug dealers being deported from Australia.

Former Supreme Court of Victoria judge Kevin Bell joins Sky News Australia to discuss the potential effects of education on discretionary sentences.

“I think what’s problematic … is when judges are told that a particular outcome must be achieved in a particular case, because that goes against the fundamental principle of discretionary sentencing,” Mr Bell said.