Accused criminals left to own devices in 'bail fail'

Private firms will no longer be allowed to electronically monitor alleged offenders on bail, the Victorian Attorney-General said. Video by AAP

Transcript

00:00First of all, let me be clear that Victoria Police monitor offenders through their own

00:06bail compliance checks, including the Victoria Police Crime Reduction Team,

00:12and I really want to acknowledge the work of Victoria Police and the work they do every day

00:17to keep Victorians safe. The use of electronic monitoring as a bail condition is something that

00:26is implemented by the courts, so the independent judiciary, and it may be but one of a number of

00:34conditions that are placed on bail when the courts make a decision whether or not to grant bail.

00:40It's obviously concerning that this company, BailSafe, has failed to notify state authorities

00:47of recent developments, but I think what is also concerning is the use of companies like BailSafe,

00:55private companies, in and for these purposes. I am going to do something about that. We are

01:03going to put a stop to the use of these companies in these circumstances, and I've asked my department

01:10for urgent advice on this, and I'll have more to say shortly. In relation to people on BailSafe,

01:18I can confirm that Victoria Police and the Office of Public Prosecution are working together

01:25to identify those people and also to identify and take the most appropriate course of action,

01:33which may include revocation of bail. It may also include police door-knocking,

01:39so we're awaiting that advice from Victoria Police and the Office of Public Prosecutions.