The parity principle does not require equivalent sentences where co-offenders differ substantially in their role, additional offending, age and criminal history. An SVO declaration is mandatory under s 161A(a) of the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 (Qld) where cumulative sentences exceed 10 years, and the court has no discretion to avoid the declaration by reducing the sentence below the appropriate range. The fact that a co-offender did not receive an SVO declaration does not of itself give rise to a parity issue.
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