Chief Minister Eva Lawler slams Country Liberal Party’s bail law proposals, Lia Finocchiaro responds

The opposition are promising to make breaching bail an offence and ensure violent serious offenders start from a position of no bail. However, the promises are already written into law, drawing the ire of Chief Minister Eva Lawler.

Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro and Chief Minister Eva Lawler.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler has slammed opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro, accusing her of trying to score political points after the Country Liberal Party pitched existing laws to tackle crime.

For consecutive months, the CLP has promoted its five-point plan to reduce crime in the Territory, which includes lowering the age of criminal responsibility, giving police greater wanding powers, increasing the two kilometre rule for problem drunks, making breach of bail conditions an offence, and a starting position of no bail for serious violent offenders.

Currently, under the Bail Act, breaching bail is an offence punishable with up to two years’ imprisonment and serious violent offenders with a weapon already start with a position of no bail.

Country Liberal Party leader Lia Finocchiaro says police have been stripped of their powers. Picture: Harry Brill.

However, when asked by the NT News to specify what changes would be made to bail laws if elected, Ms Finocchiaro maintained her party would introduce the aforementioned.

“The CLP will reverse the government’s disastrous bail laws by making sure that serious violent offenders start with a position of no bail and make breach of bail conditions an offence,” she said.

“Territorians are sick of Labor’s catch and release approach to youth crime. Labor has dismantled the Youth Justice Act, weakened bail laws, and stripped police of powers.”

Currently, under the Bail Act, breaching bail is an offence punishable with up to two years imprisonment and serious violent offenders with a weapon already start with a position of no bail. Source: Northern Territory Bail Act 1982.

The discrepancy drew the ire of Ms Lawler, who lashed the opposition leader of using “simple slogans” to defeat crime.

“Lia and the CLP think that saying simple slogans will reduce crime in the Territory – we all know lowering crime and improving community safety will take lots of hard work and extra resources in Police,” she said.

“Lia and the CLP will say anything and promise anything to score cheap political points – quick fixes don’t work and anyone who tries to push that on Territorians is lying to them.”

Source: Northern Territory Bail Act 1982.

However, Ms Finocchiaro said the “proof is in the pudding” and accused the government of covering up data.

“In responses to written questions to the government, 17 alleged youth offenders aged under 12 were bailed 100 times during the 12 months to September 30, 2023,” she said.

“Further statistics show 646 youths aged over 12 were granted bail, with over 200 of them being rearrested while on bail.

“We asked for the latest data in the most recent estimates last month and the Labor government took them on notice, hiding it for as long as possible from Territorians.”

Chief Minister Eva Lawler says her government’s “common sense” approach to crime is being delivered. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Ms Lawler maintained her government’s “common sense” approach to crime would deliver results.

“My government has delivered the biggest ever boost to the NT Police Force, with an extra $570 million investment over five years – we’ve also enacted the Territory’s first ever curfew and passed curfew legislation to give police more flexibility in how they tackle crime,” she said.

“Three of four Residential Youth Justice Facilities are up and running so young offenders have a place to learn skills to get a job and turn their lives around.

“My government is also fully funding all Territory public schools for the first time in our history, through a $1 billion boost, in partnership with the commonwealth government.”