Attorney-General Deb Frecklington slams report’s call to loosen bail laws
Queensland's Attorney-General has vowed to defy any federal push to water down the state's tough bail laws. HAVE YOUR SAY
Attorney-General Deb Frecklington has slammed a new report urging all jurisdictions to loosen their bail laws.
All states and territories have chosen not to endorse a report recommending bail laws be loosened, following a meeting of the nation’s Attorney-General’s on Friday.
Ms Frecklington has defied any attempts from the Federal Government to water down Queensland’s laws in response to the youth crime crisis.
“Queensland will not be forced into backing down on our tough laws by the federal government, no way,” she said.
“If the Albanese government thinks that they can push Queensland into watering down our laws, absolutely not.”
The report was developed by the Standing Council of Attorney-General’s bail and remand working group which included input from each jurisdiction.
Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland is understood to be pushing for states and territories to release the report, which recommends all governments “ensure bail laws explicitly provide that imprisonment be a last resort”.
Many of the recommendations are understood to be at odds against tough bail legislation in Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
Ms Rowland announced the report would be released publicly without endorsement.
“A consensus position was put today that this report be released without endorsement by any parties,” she said.
“I think it’s fair to say ... that this (changes to legislation) is the responsibility of states and territories.
“The Commonwealth doesn’t endorse it, the states and territories don’t endorse it, that’s very clear in the report itself.”
Ms Frecklington said the state government did not support the contents of the report.
“What we’ll be doing in Queensland is continuing to be tough on crime,” she said.
“We will not hesitate to make sure that we keep Queenslanders safe and that’s exactly what we said we’d do, that’s what we’re going to do, and that’s what I’ll do here today in this meeting.”
It comes as Victoria followed Queensland’s Adult Time, Adult Crime legislation, announcing youth criminals in Victoria could serve life in prison for certain crimes.
The working group’s report was completed in July and is designed to reduce the gap in incarceration rates between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Ms Rowland said the federal government’s focus would remain on justice reinvestment and diversionary programs.
Asked why the report was commissioned if jurisdictions were allowed to not endorse it, Ms Rowland said it was to inform the options for potential policy changes.
Ms Rowland said this would be the working group’s final report.
New South Wales Attorney-General Michael Daley following the meeting said the state would not be making any changes to their bail regime.
“We’ve made our bail reforms in New South Wales, but of course all laws that I’m responsible for, that all governments are responsible for, can be tweaked at any time the circumstances demand, but I’m confident that in New South Wales we’ve got our bail settings right at this time,” he said.
Victoria Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny, who dialled in to the meeting and spoke earlier on Friday, stood firm on her states toughened bail laws.
“I think Victoria has made very clear our position, here with significant reform to our bail laws which have prioritised community safety in all bail decisions,“ she said.
Originally published as Attorney-General Deb Frecklington slams report’s call to loosen bail laws
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