The parity principle is not displaced by the Serious Violent Offence regime under Part 9A of the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 (Qld), but its operation is affected by the mandatory minimum non-parole periods. When comparing sentences of co-offenders where one sentence engages the SVO regime and the other does not, all components of the sentences must be compared, not just the non-parole periods. A significant disparity in non-parole periods may be justified by relevant differences in age, role, and culpability, and by the bifurcated approach to accounting for guilty pleas that the SVO regime necessitates. The parity principle cannot be used to reduce a sentence below 10 years where, after applying all sentencing principles, a sentence of at least 10 years is appropriate.
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