Victorian Police Minister Anthony Carbines downplays extent of Jacinta Allan bail law review

Victoria’s police minister has downplayed the extent of a review into the state’s bail laws, seemingly putting him at odds with Premier Jacinta Allan who this week ordered they be put under the microscope.

Victoria’s police minister has downplayed the extent of a review into the state’s bail laws — seemingly putting him at odds with Premier Jacinta Allan — saying there was no major “piece of work” in the pipeline.

In back-to-back press conferences outside parliament on Wednesday, Ms Allan doubled down on the importance of reassessing the state’s bail legislation just minutes after Police Minister Anthony Carbines said he already knew what needed to be done.

The Herald Sun on Tuesday revealed Ms Allan had ordered an immediate review of the state’s settings and failings, requesting Mr Carbines and Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny look at ways to strengthen current laws.

Under pressure to explain what reforms were on the table, Mr Carbines downplayed the review, claiming he was “always doing this work” and that there was no “longwinded piece of work” in the pipeline.

“I wouldn’t even say that there’s particularly a review,” he said.

“We’re always working on what more we can do to keep the community safe.”

Police Minister Anthony Carbines. Picture: David Geraghty

Victoria is batting a youth crime wave. Picture: Supplied

In a separate press conference, Ms Allan said she had been clear on her request.

“It is clear there is more to do to keep our communities safe,” she said.

“They have already got to work and we will move on bringing a framework into this place (parliament).”

Mr Carbines left the door open to bringing back a separate offence for people who commit a crime while on bail, saying Victoria Police were “clearly frustrated” and wanted to slap repeat offenders with tougher penalties.

The government removed that offence last year following a high-profile coronial inquest into the death of Indigenous woman Veronica Nelson in custody.

Ms Nelson was refused bail after being arrested for shoplifting, and died in her cell after repeated requests for medical attention went unanswered.

Mr Carbines flagged that “everything is on the table” and he had a series of proposals ready to go, but refused to reveal what actions would be taken.

“I’ve got plenty of stuff in the bottom drawer that I can pull out that will hold offenders to account,” he said.

Jacinta Allan ordered a major review into the state’s bail laws this week. Picture: Nadir Kinani

When reporters pointed to the fact that Mr Carbines said he already knew what measures would make Victoria safer, Ms Allan responded: “Well, that’s terrific”.

“What it demonstrates to me is that the police minister absolutely shares and understands (my views), because he’s also been listening to his communities around the state and understands that we need to take action, which is what we’re doing,” she said.

During the at-times heated press conference, Ms Allan rejected suggestions it showed disunity within the party and instead took aim at the opposition.

“It’s important that we listen, it’s more important that we act as well, not oppose stronger measures like the Liberal Party have done in the parliament,” she said.

“They say one thing in front of you, bluff and bluster in front of the media, but they do another thing when they’re put to the test in the parliament.”

Findings from the review into the state’s bail laws - which could include changes to bail laws - will be revealed before the end of May.

Ms Allan, who dodged a series of questions about when the review would be finalised on Wednesday morning, revealed in Question Time that it would wrap up within the next three months.

“Everything is on the table, and we will make further announcements on this ... in the next three months,” she said.

Shadow Attorney-General Michael O’Brien labelled the review a “political smoke screen”, and accused the Premier and Police Minister of being “at odds”.

“They don’t even understand what this bail review is all about, and the reason is because it’s not a review driven by protecting the community,” he said.

“It’s a review driven by polls and politics and panic, and that’s all Labor has to offer.”