The parity principle does not apply where a co-offender was sentenced for a Form 1 matter rather than the principal offence, or where co-offenders are sentenced for different offences on different factual bases. Firearms offences under s 36(1) of the Firearms Act 1996 must be treated seriously in accordance with the legislative policy of strict firearms control, regardless of whether the offender intended criminal use of the weapon. The absence of criminal purpose is not a mitigating factor for firearms possession — it is merely the absence of an aggravating factor. The court also identified significant anomalies in the interaction of ss 47 and 99 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 regarding the commencement date of a suspended sentence upon revocation of a s 12 bond, suggesting the sentence should commence from the date of revocation rather than original imposition.
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