Samara Laverty’s three-point plan for ‘Declan’s law’ after son’s alleged murder

Declan Laverty’s mum Samara says tighter bail laws are the first plank in her three-point plan for ‘Declan’s law’.

The mother of slain bottleshop worker Declan Laverty has revealed the three-point plan she wants to become ‘Declan’s law’.

Samara Laverty’s outline for a safer NT includes tighter bail laws, “family liaison officers”, and handheld metal detection wands for police.

Ms Laverty said she was currently reading the Territory’s bail legislation to determine what gaps Declan’s law could fill.

“We’ll be looking for tightening bail laws, remanding people who commit any sort of aggravated assault with any sort of weapon because that implies intent to pick up a weapon and then use it,” she said.

“It should be irrelevant as to whether or not it’s your first time or 10th time – you should not get automatic bail because it’s a first offence.”

Ms Laverty said offenders arrested for weapons offences should be remanded in custody until they had their day in court.

“Look at what happened with Declan – if (his alleged murderer) hadn’t been out, my son would still be here,” she said.

Samara Laverty said ‘Declan’s law’ included three components – more support for families from police, handheld metal detection wands for police and tighter bail laws. Picture: Brendan Radke

The NT government passed snap changes to bail laws in March, less than two weeks after Declan’s alleged murder.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles has previously spoken with Ms Laverty and is open to meeting again to discuss the changes.

“These new reforms include a new presumption against bail for violent offences involving a weapon, a presumption against bail for co-offenders who participate in violent offences involving a weapon, even if they do not possess the weapon themselves,” Ms Fyles said.

“We’re making hard, long-term changes that can pay off for generations – so that courts have more consequences available to them when sentencing, and so that we are breaking the cycle of constant reoffending.”

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said she would again bring bail reforms to parliament next week.

“Every member will have the opportunity to answer the calls of the community and support us to properly amend bail,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

“I have spoken with Samara Laverty and expressed our heartfelt and sincerest condolences on the tragic loss of her son Declan, and that his death cannot be in vain.

“I extended an open door to Samara on her vision for ‘Declan’s law’ because the CLP will always support strengthening laws to make our community safe.”

Declan Laverty – pictured alongside mum Samara Laverty – was allegedly stabbed to death at The Airport Tavern in Darwin about 9pm Sunday, March 19, 2023. Picture: Supplied

Ms Laverty called on the NT Police to offer greater support for families who suffered through similar tragedies.

She said the Territory’s detectives had “all been really nice” but having a “family liaison officer” would help make the experience less gruelling for those left behind.

“Here, while the detectives have been good, I’m assuming that the process is a long, slow process and not much is going to change quickly, there’s nobody checking in on me,” she said.

Ms Laverty said the change would likely come down to internal police policy, as opposed to legislation.

She cited Queensland’s Police Liaison Officers, who maintain communication channels between investigators and the public, as an example of how the force could support families in the wake of tragedy.

Declan Laverty was allegedly stabbed to death at The Airport Tavern in Darwin about 9pm Sunday, March 19, 2023. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Laverty said introducing handheld metal detection wands for police would help officers identify hidden weapons.

“The amount of weapons carrying weapons is just phenomenal,” she said.

“It’s not just what you see published in the paper, there’s so much more that doesn’t get noticed or picked up on.”

Acting Police Commissioner Michael Murphy on Tuesday said police were investigating whether the wands could be used on Territory streets following a spate of knife crime in the NT.

Mr Murphy said NT Police officers went to Queensland to observe how knife-crime reforms could be imported across the border.

Following the 2019 stabbing death of 17-year-old Jack Beasley at Surfers Paradise, Queensland introduced “Jack’s law” giving police the power to search people in safe night precincts and public transport using wands.

“The ability of police to engage in the type of search provisions actually made people disarm,” he said.

Samara Laverty said her son Declan would be ‘super embarrassed’ but also ‘a little bit chuffed’ by the community’s support. Picture: Supplied

Ms Laverty said her son would be proud of the support the NT community had offered his family over the past seven weeks.

“My stubborn, hardass, obnoxious, sweet, funny kid is the catalyst for change for an entire Territory,” she said.

“If anything can come from this, it needs to be good, proper, on-the-ground change so that no other parent has to get that call.”

Originally published as Samara Laverty’s three-point plan for ‘Declan’s law’ after son’s alleged murder