Victorian government urged to reconsider proposed bail law changes

Premier Daniel Andrews has backed police response to a recent spike in violent youth crime as he vows to push ahead with proposed bail reform laws.

The Andrews government is being urged to reconsider proposed bail changes. Picture: Jason Edwards

Daniel Andrews has backed in his proposed bail laws despite a recent youth crime wave over the past week.

The Premier, on Tuesday, said it is the right time to push ahead with bail reform, which will significantly relax current laws created in the wake of the 2017 Bourke St attack.

The proposed changes are intended to address concerns that current laws – the most onerous in the country — disproportionately affect women, Aboriginals, children and disabled people.

But it follows a recent crime spike, including a horrific incident at Glen Eira where a 14-year-old boy was allegedly dragged into a car while walking from school.

Mr Andrews said police had done a “very good job” responding to that matter, but that it was his view that schools were safe.

Mr Andrews says it is the right time to push ahead with bail reform. Picture: Jason Edwards

“There are issues from time to time and police respond promptly,” he said.

“It’s an isolated incident. That’s not to downplay it .. but that’s not occurring at every school.

“At the same time, if you see something like that and it does register.

“I’ve got kids and you can’t help but think, could that happen to our family? Could our family be involved in something like that? And the answer is well, yes, because they’re random.

“That’s why police work so hard and that’s why there’s more police today than there’s ever been in our state, and that’s why they’ve got the resources and the powers they need to fight crime and keep our community safe.

“I think the young people alleged to have been involved in this matter will very much regret having done what they’ve done.”

The bail reform will relax laws created in the wake of the 2017 Bourke St attack. Picture: Tony Gough

The Herald Sun previously reported Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan dismissed calls for the Andrews government to reconsider proposed bail changes amid fears they would make it too easy for some dangerous criminals to stay out of prison.

But the state opposition said the changes went too far, and has pushed the government to consider a suite of amendments.

But on Monday, Ms Allan said the reforms were “balanced” and “important”.

“In recent years, there has been concerns about needing to get the balance right, in terms of the bail systems and this package of reforms is proportionate, it’s sensible, it’s also necessary,” she said.

The Deputy Premier said now was the right time to relax bail laws.

“The changes that have been proposed to the bail system have come as a consequence of a significant amount of work that’s been done by talking to a range of different representative groups across the community, engagement also too, with Victoria Police and informed deeply by the recommendations from the coronial inquiry into the death of Veronica Nelson,” she said.

Shadow Attorney-General Michael O'Brien has urged the government to adopt the proposed amendments. Picture: David Crosling

Shadow Attorney-General Michael O’Brien previously said while the opposition wouldn’t oppose the bill in its current form, he urged the government to adopt the proposed amendments in the interests of community safety.

As part of the government’s planned changes, offences of “breaching bail conditions” and “committing further offences while on bail”, would be repealed and accused children would have a presumption of bail, except for crimes of terrorism and homicide.

Mr O’Brien said opposition amendments would retain the standalone offence of “committing an indictable offence while on bail”.

They would also add eight serious offences for which a minor would face a tougher test for bail.

Mr O’Brien said the opposition would also push for a legislated review of bail changes after two years of operation, to identify any unintended consequences or problems under the new laws.

“Recent horrific crimes demonstrate how important it is that the Andrews government gets bail reform right,” Mr O’Brien said.

“There is a real risk that Labor’s reforms could see some dangerous criminals back on the streets when they should be held on remand.

“That’s why the Liberals and Nationals have drafted amendments to better protect the community and get the balance right.”

The Glen Huntly scene where a teen was stabbed. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Last week a 14-year-old on bail was charged over an abduction and armed robbery that left a student, 14, fighting for life.

The teen accused plans to apply for bail again.

“Minors accused of serious crimes such as armed robbery, rape and aggravated home invasion should face a tougher test for bail,” Mr O’Brien said.

“So should anyone accused of committing a serious offence while already on bail. These are commonsense amendments to protect Victorians.

“If Labor chooses to defeat them, the Andrews government will bear the consequences if community safety is compromised.”

Daniel Andrews on Saturday dismissed concerns about the proposed changes.

“We’ll still have the toughest bail laws in the country, and that’s an appropriate thing,” he said.

“But it’s not the government that will make those changes, the parliament will make those changes.”

The Victorian Greens and the Human Rights Law Centre are among a number of groups who say the proposed reforms don’t go far enough.

The government has committed to the laws coming into effect within six months of legislation passing parliament.