Canberra man Marcus Rappel, who killed his ex-partner Tara Costigan with an axe, has been sentenced to 32 years and two months in jail.

Ms Costigan was killed by 42-year-old Rappel at her home in February 2015, after he forced his way in and struck her with an axe while she was holding their week-old daughter.

Justice John Burns described Rappel's actions as being in the "worst category" before handing down his sentence in the ACT Supreme Court.

Rappel was sentenced to 30 years for the murder and two years for the serious assault of Ms Costigan's sister as she tried to intervene in the attack.

He will not be eligible for parole until 2041, by which time he will be 66 years old.

Speaking outside the court Ms Costigan's mother, Trish Fuller, said she wanted a longer sentence for her daughter's killer.

"[It] should have been forever," she said.

"Whatever he did is never going to bring her back, this has just been devastating."

Murder's impact to 'be felt for decades'

In sentencing, Justice Burns told Rappel the murder was "vicious and cowardly".

"Those who witnessed your violence will have to live with their memories for the rest of their lives," he said.

"Your actions deprived three children of their mother, including your own infant daughter.

"The effects of your actions will be felt for decades to come."

Earlier in the hearing Justice Burns ordered Rappel be removed from the courtroom after he became disruptive and started yelling.

"I am the only one that hasn't lied!" Rappel said.

He was then forced to listen to Justice Burns deliver the sentence from another room.

Ms Costigan's uncle, Michael Costigan, also spoke to media outside the court.

"Many have suggested that today will bring closure. It hasn't — today's verdict does not bring me peace. Tara remains dead," he said on Friday.

"Today just clarifies what Marcus Rappel has to look forward to for the rest of his life."

Killed as punishment for seeking protection

Ms Costigan applied for a domestic violence order against Rappel the day before she was killed, after becoming concerned about his increasingly threatening behaviour.

Marcus Rappel pleaded guilty to murdering his former partner Tara Costigan in 2015. ( ABC News )

Justice Burns said that was Rappel's motivation for the murder.

"To punish her for applying for a domestic violence order and obtaining an interim order against you," he said.

On receiving the order Rappel drove to a hardware store, bought an axe and drove to Ms Costigan's Canberra home.

Ms Costigan's two older children were also home and witnessed the attack.

Her sister and her sister's partner were injured while trying to intervene.