Justice Reform Initiative warns new bail laws won’t make community safer

New youth bail laws which were passed into law on Tuesday will come into effect from as soon as this week, but one advocacy group has warned they will make the community less safe.

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ADVOCACY groups have reacted negatively to new youth bail laws passed in the NT parliament on Tuesday evening, claiming it won’t make a difference to community safety.

It comes as a report into bail support accommodation provided by Saltbush was tabled in parliament on Tuesday night, on the same night new youth bail laws were passed.

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Some aspects of the youth bail legislation will come into force as soon as this week, with a swath of offences added to the list whereby the presumption will be against giving repeat offenders bail.

Police Minister Nicole Manison said the youth justice laws were designed to deter the small minority of children responsible for the majority of juvenile crime.

However, the laws have been given the thumbs down from Justice Reform Initiative executive director Mindy Sotiri.

“What is really clear is that it’s not going to be more effective in terms of improving community safety,” Ms Sotiri said.

“If they do not have support available, they are very likely to be sentenced to a lifetime of criminal justice involvement,” she said.

A crowd gathered out the front of the NT Parliament on Monday afternoon ahead of controversial youth bail law changes being pushed through. Picture: Che Chorley

“Going to prison even for a short period of time even when on remand … even that contact increases dramatically the likelihood of further contact with the justice system.”

Ms Sotiri said she and other organisations were urging the Northern Territory government to look into diversion and “return to the spirit of the Royal Commission recommendations”.

“Young people require support in the community, young people require education, young people require access to anchors and support in the community,” she said.

“We know prison doesn’t work to make the community safer.”

Ms Sotiri said she was expecting more kids to end up in detention as soon as this week.

Attorney-General Selena Uibo said members of the judiciary would be briefed “in coming days”.

Deputy CM and Police Minister Nicole Manison and NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker. Picture Glenn Campbell

“The legislation will complement the multiple evidence-led initiatives our government is implementing to create generational change and break the cycle of poverty and reoffending,” Ms Uibo said.

“We passed this legislation during the current Parliamentary sittings as we always committed to do,” she said.

It comes as the NT Office of the Children’s Commissioner handed down its report into the Saltbush bail support accommodation service.

The report found the Saltbush bail accommodation facility needed more training and rules for carers to take care of children, and children needed more time to communicate and visit family.

“Saltbush is a pretty new place and the staff are starting to provide the things children need, help them deal with challenges, and make decisions and plans,” a document within the report said.