Sentencing reform for Vic serious crimes

Prison sentences for murder, rape and sexual offences involving children would be increased in Victoria under a proposed overhaul of the state's sentencing provisions.

Under the plan, confusing and difficult baseline sentencing provisions introduced in 2014 will be abolished and replaced by a new "standard sentence" for the state's most serious crimes.

The standard sentence will be calculated at 40 per cent of the maximum penalty for an offence representing the mid-point of seriousness, Attorney-General Martin Pakula says.

A review into baseline sentencing was ordered in 2015 after a case in the Court of Appeal found that "a defect in the legislation was incurable".