Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan repeatedly declines to answer if she has confidence in Victoria’s court system

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has repeatedly declined to answer if she has confidence in Victoria’s courts while the state’s Attorney-General has surfaced for the first time in a week to address the crime crisis.

Premier Jacinta Allan has repeatedly declined to answer if she has confidence in Victoria’s courts.

The ducking and weaving from the Premier – who was on Thursday asked three times if she had confidence in the state’s courts – came after the Herald Sun revealed a 15-year-old who led police on a one-hour chase at up to 240km/h was again bailed.

This was despite the magistrate admitting the public would want him locked up because they were “totally over” seeing this offending daily – and that he agreed with them “100 per cent”.

Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny broke her media silence on Thursday to announce the findings of an anticipated review into Victoria’s failing justice settings will be announced “very, very, very soon”.

Addressing the media, Ms Allan said it was important Victorians “have confidence in our justice system that’s supporting the community”.

“That is why we are bringing changes to the Victorian parliament,” she said.

“It’s very important that we respect all of the independent agencies that make up our justice system.”

The Herald Sun’s call to action after latest bail madness. Picture: Herald Sun

Asked if she had confidence in the justice system, Ms Allan said: “Victorians want to see the laws strengthened”.

“We’ve been listening to Victorians,” she said.

“It’s important that the community does have confidence in our system as a whole. Our court system is working hard.”

The Herald Sun has published a transcript of the media comments in full below.

Ms Kilkenny, who fronted the media for the first time in a week on Thursday, refused to comment on the magistrate’s decision to bail the 15-year-old, but said she had confidence in the courts.

The opposition has accused Ms Kilkenny, who as the planning minister last week fronted the media almost every day as part of a housing blitz, of being a “part-time minister”.

Speaking outside parliament, Ms Kilkenny rejected suggestions that she was unable to adequately manage both portfolios at the same time.

“I reject the premise that I’m unable to do that work. This is an absolute priority for me … that we have in place laws that make community feel safe,” she said.

Asked if Victoria’s crime crisis is the biggest issue confronting the state, Ms Kilkenny said it is “absolutely one of the biggest issues”.

Youth crime has surged across Melbourne and Victoria. Picture: Supplied

Opposition Leader Brad Battin called on Ms Kilkenny to relinquish one of her portfolios.

“I would say she does have to pick one or the other,” he said.

“At the moment the government is failing when it comes to crime here in Victoria.

“The crime crisis in this state is 100 per cent the fault of the Allan Labor government.”

Ms Allan rushed to the defence of Ms Kilkenny’ ability to juggle both roles.

“She is working incredibly hard,” she said.

Ms Allan took aim at Mr Battin’s criticism towards Ms Kilkenny, accusing him of failing to front up to the media.

“The only person who is working part time here is the Leader of the Opposition who can barely get out of bed on any given day given he barely fronts more than one press conference each week,” she said.

Sonya Kilkenny is under pressure to drop a portfolio and focus solely on crime. Picture: AAP

Last month, Ms Allan ordered Ms Kilkenny and Police Minister Anthony Carbines to conduct an urgent review into the state’s justice settings, including bail laws.

Ms Allan gave that work a three-month deadline but on Thursday Ms Kilkenny revealed changes would be announced much sooner.

“I can assure Victorians that we have been working hard on this,” she said.

“We will have something to say very, very soon.

“Our priority is community safety and we need to make sure that our laws are meeting expectations of community.”

Asked if she supported the prospect of mandatory remand for offenders accused of home invasions, Ms Kilkenny said: “I support changes that are going to make sure that Victorians can feel safe where they live and work and I support changes that are going to make sure that where anyone endangers that right that they feel the consequences”.

“Community safety is extremely important,” she said.

“We know it’s a priority, I’m hearing it, we are listening.

Acting Victoria Police chief commissioner Rick Nugent was spotted walking into parliament on Thursday morning.

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