Victorian premier forced to defend new bail reforms

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Jacinta Allan has again been forced to defend her government's bail reforms and legislated community safety protections following the release of new guidelines for judges and magistrates in dealing with underage offenders. It’s in the face of opposition criticism about how the laws are being interpreted by courts.

Transcript

00:00On the road again, spruiking another major project due to open in December.

00:07Our fabulous and important Westgate Tunnel project.

00:10The $10 billion road nearing completion, three years behind schedule.

00:15The Premier pushing toll companies for free travel over summer.

00:19I think it would be a welcome gesture.

00:21But the promotional visit faced a bail-induced detour,

00:24with questions raised about how the state's judiciary is interpreting new bail rules.

00:30Their tough bail laws have been proven with the handbook to judges

00:34to be nothing other than business as usual for crooks here in Victoria.

00:38We are seeing that the tough new bail laws are making a difference.

00:42The new laws mean community safety must be the biggest consideration during bail decisions.

00:48But according to an updated bail bench book for judges and magistrates,

00:52maximising community safety doesn't necessarily mean denying bail.

00:57The book recommends minimal intervention when it comes to denying bail for child offenders.

01:03Pointing out that placing a child in custody has broader implications for the community

01:08because it may increase their likelihood of re-offending.

01:11It says while community safety is now of overarching importance,

01:15it's not the only guiding principle.

01:18What the judges are telling Victorians is that we don't have tough bail laws,

01:22we have a get-out-of-jail-free card.

01:25This idea that one can legislate in a way that says that a person just simply doesn't get bail

01:31is an anathema to the principles of justice.

01:35The Premier's dismissed suggestions the bail reforms are failing to achieve what they were designed to,

01:40pointing to a 46% increase in the number of kids being held on remand.

01:45But she has left the door open to further reform, including sentencing and crime prevention.

01:50Other免

02:04The Premier

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended