Teen charged over doctor Ash Gordon’s alleged murder was on bail

A teen charged over the senseless murder of Doncaster doctor Ash Gordon was on bail at the time, as Premier Jacinta Allan is urged to dump an overhaul of the youth justice system.

Shadow attorney-general Michael O’Brien has slammed the state government’s plan to overhaul the youth justice system, fearing it would further jeopardise Victorians.

Mr O’Brien said Dr Ash Gordon’s alleged murder in Doncaster should be the line in the sand moment for the state government when it comes to youth justice.

“We need to see a situation where community safety is put first,” he said on Saturday.

“The government says it is, but clearly it isn’t.

“We keep seeing repeat offenders getting bail time and time and time again, committing further crimes, and often worse crimes.

“It’s time for the government to admit they’ve got it wrong when it comes to bail.

“At the moment, if you commit an indictable offence while you’re on bail, you automatically face a tougher test to get bail again.

“Labor is going to scrap that.

“That makes no sense and it puts the community at risk.”

Ash Gordon died in a violent home invasion in Doncaster on Saturday. Picture: Supplied

Mr O’Brien suggested those within the state government speak to the families of victims to fully understand how the current laws were affecting people.

“We need to draw a line and put community safety first,” he added.

“I think the government needs to speak to some of the families who have been affected by these tragic incidents, and ask them whether they think the community is being kept safe.

“I think everyone deserves a chance, but when you see repeat offenders continually arrested for doing the same sorts of crimes, or worse crimes, at what point do draw the line and say ‘this isn’t keeping the community safe’?

“If Victorians think we have a revolving door on bail now, wait until Labor puts the turbo charges on with these changes they’re planning to bring in.”

It comes as the Herald Sun revealed that one of the two teens charged over the senseless murder of Doncaster doctor Ash Gordon was on bail at the time.

The revelation comes as Premier Jacinta Allan faces pressure to dump an overhaul of the youth justice system, including plans to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14.

The state opposition has demanded the government abandon plans to raise the age and permanently shelve mooted changes that would relax youth bail laws.

“Jacinta Allan wants to raise the age of criminal responsibility at a time when youth crime and aggravated burglaries are at a 10-year high and her government has slashed millions of dollars in vital youth justice and crime prevention programs,” shadow youth justice minister Brad Battin said.

“The government needs to reverse its position and properly invest in prevention and rehabilitation programs that will reduce youth crime in particular.”

Under current plans, the government has committed to raising the age a child can be arrested, charged or jailed from 10 to 12 by the end of this year.

The age will be raised again to 14 by 2027 with the exception of some crimes, including homicides.

Ms Allan said on Friday the overhaul of the youth justice system was a key priority for the government.

“There’s not one simple answer. We know that we need to continue to work very hard on prevention,” she said.

“The best way to address youth crime and youth offending is to get in and prevent it in the first place.”

She said it was vital to work with young people to keep them connected to their families, schools, and communities.

But the family of Mr Gordon, 33, accused the government of not doing enough to combat youth crime.

Dr Ash Gordon, pictured with his family, was allegedly killed by a teen on bail.

Ash Gordon’s sister Natalie Gordon, pictured with partner Hayden Cook, has demanded drastic action to combat a rise in violent home robberies. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Heartbroken sister calls for action on violence

Mr Gordon’s sister, Natalie, said she was alarmed by the number of home invasions in the wake of her brother’s death.

“More needs to be done to try and fix it. The system is broken and the government needs to change that,” Ms Gordon told the Herald Sun.

“We just have so much of this on the streets these days and the world we’re growing up in is disgusting. I’m scared for my children because I want them to grow up and experience a safe community.

“People (offenders) are just getting younger and younger and there’s no consequences. The world is broken.

“We need to raise awareness and we need to fix this because it’s not just a one-off sort of thing.”

Warrandyte MP Nicole Werner said she had spoken to the surviving victim allegedly attacked by the teen who was on bail at the time of Mr Gordon’s death.

She said the family was terrified to be identified because they feared retribution.

Warrandyte MP Nicole Werner. Picture: Ian Currie

“This crime has shocked the local community and has left many people asking what the Allan government is doing to make our community safer,” Ms Werner said.

A government spokeswoman said Victoria had one of the lowest rates of youth offending across the country. And she said the government was committed to significant youth justice reforms, including easing bail laws early this year.

“What happened to Dr Ash Gordon is tragic and our thoughts are with his loved ones as they deal with his loss,” she said.

“Evidence shows that early intervention and diversionary tactics are the most effective approaches to reduce reoffending – not knee-jerk reactions which shy away from addressing the underlying causes of crime so it can be reduced and prevented.

“Community safety will remain the number one priority when deciding who gets bail, and it can be revoked at any time – this has not changed under any of our reforms and it will not.”

Shadow attorney-general Michael O’Brien called on the government to dump planned bail changes.

Premier Jacinta Allan has been urged to review its proposed changes to bail laws. Picture: David Caird

“The Allan government needs to urgently review its proposed changes to Victoria’s bail laws. In particular, it needs to reverse its decision to make it easier for those offenders who commit an indictable offence while on bail to continue to walk the streets,” Mr O’Brien said. “This makes no sense, particularly in the current climate, and offenders need to face tougher and not weaker tests for bail.

“The government also needs to reassure Victorians that it will not weaken youth bail laws and it must reduce court backlogs, which are the worst in Australia.

“Delays in getting cases to court are leaving magistrates with little choice but to bail offenders even if it jeopardises community safety.”

The latest crime data shows that in Victoria in 2023, there were more than 4100 aggravated burglaries while occupants of the home were present — a spike from the 3234 the year before.

Last year, there were a total 85 reported home invasions across the state, jumping from 60 in 2022 and just 30 in 2018.

The young boys charged with Dr Gordon’s murder appeared in children’s court on Thursday flanked by three officers.

The pair made no application for bail and will return to court on February 8.

Originally published as Teen charged over doctor Ash Gordon’s alleged murder was on bail