Two new members for Sentencing Advisory Council

Attorney-General Robert Clark today announced the appointment of Ms Kornelia Zimmer and Sergeant Peter Dikschei to the board of the Sentencing Advisory Council (SAC).

“The Victorian Coalition Government committed in opposition to expand the membership of the Sentencing Advisory Council board to include a member from a victim-run support or advocacy group, and a member who is a police officer actively engaged in law enforcement duties,” Mr Clark said.

“I’m very pleased that Kornelia Zimmer and Peter Dikschei have agreed to serve in these newly created positions.

“They will bring new and valuable perspectives to issues of crime and sentencing, adding to the range of backgrounds and experience of existing SAC members.”

Following the tragic death of her brother Mark in 2008, Kornelia Zimmer has become increasingly involved in work with a variety of victims of crime.

Ms Zimmer is currently Vice-President of Support After Murder and a policy and research officer at the Coalition for Safer Communities, both of which are voluntary positions.

Sergeant Peter Dikschei, who joined Victoria Police in 1983, is an operational police member with a broad policing background. He is currently a supervisor at the Police Communications Centre, where he oversees the management and delivery of police resources to all manner of emergencies.

Sergeant Dikschei also provides immediate command and control functions at crime scenes and critical incidents until field command is established.

“The SAC provides a range of valuable advice to government on sentencing practices in Victoria. The addition of positions dedicated to victims of crime and operational police will greatly assist the work of the SAC,” Mr Clark said.

Legislation amending the Sentencing Act to create these two new positions was passed by Parliament earlier this year. Ms Zimmer and Sergeant Dikschei will take up their positions from 1 January 2012.