After three years of relentless advocacy, a Newcastle mother’s campaign for justice in the wake of her daughter’s brutal murder has led to a proposed legal reform aimed at imposing tougher prison sentences on domestic violence killers. The New South Wales government has announced plans to legislate a minimum non-parole period of 25 years for anyone convicted of murdering a current or former partner.
The proposed law seeks to align the murder of an intimate partner with other heinous crimes, such as the murder of a child, which attract the most severe sentences. This legislative move follows the tireless efforts of Tabitha Acret, who has been at the forefront of this campaign.
Advocacy and Legislative Change
Ms. Acret stood alongside Premier Chris Minns and Attorney-General Michael Daley during the announcement on Thursday. “We as a community need to work together, we need to band together and call out domestic violence, call out people who are treating their partners poorly,” she urged.
Her daughter, Mackenzie Anderson, was tragically murdered in 2022 at the age of 21, stabbed 78 times in her Mayfield home. The perpetrator, Tyrone Thompson, received a sentence of 22 and a half years, with a non-parole period of 15 and a half years. The Crown’s appeal against this sentence was unsuccessful.
Government and Community Response
Attorney-General Michael Daley commended Ms. Acret’s advocacy, describing the legislation as among the toughest in Australia. “So this will mean now that murder of a former or current intimate partner will sit up there at the top of the most serious crimes, those for murdering children or for murdering public officials,” he stated.
Premier Chris Minns emphasized the significance of the reform, declaring that domestic violence killers are now on notice. “This is nation-leading, these are the toughest sentences of any jurisdiction in the country,” he affirmed.
Ms. Acret expressed her gratitude for the proposed changes, viewing them as a meaningful tribute to her daughter. “So I’m extremely thankful that … there’ll be a legacy for my daughter that will move us forward in a positive way, rather than how negative it has been leading up to this,” she said. “I’m really, really thankful, and I just can’t express my gratitude enough.”
Support from Victims’ Advocacy Groups
The announcement has been met with approval from victims’ advocacy groups. Sophie Wheeler, chief executive of the Victims of Crime Assistance League (VOCAL), applauded the reform. “This is a critical reform that better reflects the gravity of violence against women, and the profound and long-lasting impact on families and communities,” she commented.
Ms. Wheeler acknowledged Tabitha Acret’s unwavering fight for justice, noting that her determination has driven meaningful change. “We especially acknowledge the incredible advocacy of Tabitha, whose unwavering fight for justice and determination to be a voice for her daughter, Mackenzie Anderson, have driven meaningful change,” she added.
According to NSW government statistics, 59 people across the state were murdered by a current or former intimate partner in the five years to June 2025. Forty-two of them were women.
Next Steps and Broader Implications
The Crimes Legislation Amendment (Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences) Bill 2025, introduced in parliament on Thursday, seeks to amend the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999. It is anticipated to be debated in parliament next week, marking a significant step towards addressing domestic violence more stringently.
This development represents a broader societal shift towards recognizing and penalizing domestic violence with the severity it warrants. As the bill progresses through the legislative process, it could set a precedent for other jurisdictions to follow, potentially leading to nationwide reforms in how domestic violence cases are prosecuted and sentenced.
For families like the Acrets, the proposed changes offer a glimmer of hope that justice can be served more effectively, and that future tragedies might be prevented through deterrence and awareness.
