Curfews, electronic monitoring, bail overhaul: NSW Coalition unveils tough new youth crime bill

Teenagers who repeatedly commit serious offences would face electronic monitoring and mandatory curfews under a Coalition bill aimed at addressing the youth crime crisis. See the full details.

Teenagers between 14 and 18 years who repeatedly commit serious offences would face electronic monitoring and mandatory curfews under a Coalition bill aimed at addressing the youth crime crisis that has gripped regional NSW.

The definition of repeat offences as outlined in Labor’s changes to the Bail Act would also be expanded beyond serious break-and-enter and motor vehicle theft, to include all serious indictable offences like murder or sexual assault.

The Crimes Legislation Amendment (Youth Crime) Bill 2025 will also enable bail to be revoked if there is a breach of the bail conditions, if another charge is laid while on bail, or if there is interference with the electronic monitoring device, while victim impact statements would be expanded to include cases of repeat serious break-and-enter, car theft and serious indictable offences.

However, the bill will not include changes to doli incapax – the presumption that a child aged between 10 and 14 is incapable of committing a crime due to a lack of understanding of the difference between right and wrong – as had been strongly pushed by the Nationals, with the parties agreeing to continue talks.

To be introduced into state parliament by State opposition attorney general Alister Henskens on Thursday, the bill represents the end of a bitter rift between the warring Liberals and Nationals who have been at war over the seat of Port Macquarie.

Disturbing footage emerged of organised street brawls in northern NSW in 2023, highlighting youth crime in the area.

Youth crime including break-ins and car thefts have becoming an increasing concern for regional NSW and a political problem in Macquarie Street.

Tensions boiled over last month at a shadow cabinet meeting where Opposition leader Mark Speakman was accused of trying to shut down the debate and leave the room after Nationals leader Dugald Saunders attempted to discuss its plan to crack down on youth crime.

In response to rallies held across regional NSW over regional crime, the Nationals declared they would be putting forward a bill to stop repeat serious youth offenders from holding regional communities “to ransom”.

Shadow Attorney-General Alister Henskens. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

A key element pushed by the Nationals had been changes to doli incapax.

With Port Macquarie won by the Liberals, the two parties appeared to have put their animosities aside to agree on a bill, which this week passed through shadow cabinet.

Mr Saunders said the bill still provided “swift and decisive action” while “leaving the door open to more reforms”.

“We need an immediate circuit-breaker to stop repeat youth offenders from holding our communities to ransom and we will continue discussions with the Shadow Attorney-General around potential changes to doli incapax along with diversionary programs.”

Leader of the Nationals in NSW Dugald Saunders. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Describing the bill as “stronger” than Labor’s bail changes passed last week, Mr Speakman said it reflected the demands of regional communities.

“We now have a united position on how to achieve tangible change,” he said.

Mr Henskens said he would continue working with regional MPs on further measures.

“Electronic monitoring for repeat serious criminal offenders will assist in deterring crime while these offenders are on bail, while mandatory curfews bolstered by this monitoring will help keep these repeat offenders off the streets and to stop them committing crimes until their matters are heard in court,” he said.

Northern Tablelands MP Brendan Moylan, who initially introduced his own bill, Nationals MPs had been fighting to make their communities safe.

“This crisis is the number one thing people in the regions are talking about right now and it’s becoming worse and worse by the day,” Mr Moylan said.

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Originally published as Curfews, electronic monitoring, bail overhaul: NSW Coalition unveils tough new youth crime bill