Credit: Cathy Wilcox
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BAIL LAWS
John Silvester, in an otherwise sensible discussion about the consequence of changing bail laws, ends with a solution that risks making a bad situation worse (″Having driven into a dead end on bail, the government is now desperately in reverse″, 12/3).
Queues for human services are tricky things. Paul Coghlan’s suggestions in 2017 appeared to be for a rapid first-come-first-served system in which low-level offences were dealt with as they occurred. This is undoubtedly the most equitable system. All low-level offenders are in a queue waiting for court time. Silvester suggests a prioritising process, in which the most important low-level offenders are moved to the head of the courtroom access queue.
Sounds sensible. But the inevitable consequence would be to increase the waiting time for everyone else in the queue because the more serious low-level offender trials are likely to take longer than those for the rest of the offenders.
Prioritising risks increasing rather than decreasing congestion and delays in the justice system. If there are serious low-level offenders, they should be taken out of the queue and dealt with by a separate system, rather than punishing all the other low-level offenders by making them wait longer in the same queue. Tricky. But, as Silvester says, justice delayed is justice denied.
David Ben-Tovim, Carlton
Offenders need to reflect on harm done
Where in the conversation about changing the bail laws related to young offenders committing serious crimes, is the consideration of the voice of victims of crimes? They have suffered financial loss or the loss of their car while also dealing with the emotional consequences of home invasion and its trauma. If offenders committing these crimes were compelled to make financial compensation through work and a system created in a highly supervised environment to make them earn their right to walk freely among us, maybe there is some hope of justice being served, making society safer, and a chance for offenders to reflect on the harm they have done.
Christine Baker, Rosanna
Parents must take responsibility for child’s crimes
How about the law making parents responsible for their child’s actions. Knowingly allowing their child to have a knife, machete etc. Allowing their child to go out in all hours of the night to commit crimes. When the child goes before the court, so should the parents. Recently in the US, parents have been sentenced to jail when they have given a gun to the child and the gun has been used in a killing.
Geoff McDonald, Newtown
Fewer advantages fuel youth crime
“Juvenile delinquent” described teens who preyed on society in the 1960s. Their great-grandchildren may well be today’s youth offenders. In the 1980s, I could only afford to buy a house in a disadvantaged area. The welfare teacher of the local school suggested I send my child to a better school. Schools were strictly zoned, so we moved. Those in poor areas are denied the right to a good education which could deliver a good career. Public schools are underfunded and tech schools no longer exist, so students who are not academic have fewer places to turn. Services that could help support struggling families have massive delays. We are a rich country and until we address this inequality, we will continue to have high youth crime rates.
Helen Pereira, Heidelberg Heights
A common goal for justice
My understanding of our legal and justice system is that they are intended to protect the community, then to punish, reform and rehabilitate the offender into the community. Of course, prevention of offending is the ultimate purpose of this process. Are all these needs being met in a logical order and being met? All individuals, political parties and organisations must unite in forwarding these goals. Surely, they can recognise the desirable result?
Rosalind McIntosh, Camberwell
Machete ban mistake
Premier Allan’s plan to ban machetes ignores the fact that these are useful in many applications and occupations (‴Toughest bail laws in Australia’ to be introduced by Victorian government″, 12/3). What will stop the users of machetes for criminal purposes from heading to a shop and purchasing a knife similar to a long chef’s knife? That kind of weapon is more likely to be used to stab rather than intimidate.
Gun laws and amnesties have saved lives, however criminals still appear to have access to firearms. Will Victorians have an amnesty to hand in their machetes?
Stopping access to them will not eliminate them as we don’t have the policing capability to enforce the ban. The solution is to catch the machete criminals, throw the book at them, set an example of the consequences if using them as weapons, and test the new bail laws.
Ross Kroger, Barwon Heads
No bail for home invasions
I was first encouraged by the article about bail laws (12/3), but disgusted when I reached the point where it reported that in the case of serious crimes such a home invasions or carjackings, the accused will be allowed to seek bail, and its likelihood is to be ″tested″ by the degree of probability that the accused won’t re-offend.
If someone has already committed serious crimes, why give them the opportunity to do it again? There should be no bail offered or considered.
Rehabilitation is a great idea, but the greatest predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour; why give them a chance to do it again?
Joyce Butcher, Williamstown
THE FORUM
Right to know lag
Victoria likes to think it is progressive, and has often adopted laws on the leading edge of social and legal reform. Despite an admirable report in September 2024 by the Victorian parliament’s integrity and oversight committee on the necessity to change Victoria’s outdated freedom of information laws, no action has yet been taken on this vital reform.
The committee recommended that new FOI laws be built around the “right to know” principle – that government information be made available to Victorians unless there is a very good reason not to do so.
Reform would mean Victorians had ready access to their own information and to government and public sector information, especially that concerning the processes and decisions of the government and public sector on policy making. Information on the decisions and actions of all MPs in their public roles should also be freely available.
Queensland has had a “Right to Information” law to ensure Queenslanders easy access to government information since 2009. It’s time Victoria caught up.
Julia Thornton, board member, Accountability Round Table
Politician examine thyself
I had never heard of The Gazette until the article about the Coalition complaining that it is a ″fake newspaper″ (″Coalition makes formal complaint over pro-teal spin in ’fake newspaper‴, 12/3), with claims that it ″is deceiving residents in seats where Liberals are contesting independents″.
I wondered what I’ve been missing since I actually do mourn the death of local newspapers. What was this newspaper doing to incur the wrath of the Liberal Party?
Here’s what I found in the Gazette’s Eastern Melburnian edition: ethically roasted coffee, what’s on in the eastern suburbs, donating blood, free events for kids, 30km/h limit for residential streets and similar ″disinformation″. The political articles were on bulk-billing, which described the problem, what the government is doing and the views of the Coalition, independents and the Greens, and then the race in Casey outlining the proposals of all parties.
If that’s a ″fake newspaper″, then what is the Advance website? Advance supports only Australia’s right with members formally associated with the Liberal Party. Their campaign page displays articles and petitions against Labor, independent and the Greens, while the Liberal Party opposed parliament’s misinformation bill. Politician examine thyself.
Amy Bachrach, McKinnon
The crisis of our time
As Ross Gittins so perfectly summarises, ″the more you think about climate change, the more you realise it’s going to cost taxpayers a bundle″ (″Alfred’s great climate wake-up call″, 12/3). The costs of Cyclone Alfred – to human health, beaches, wildlife, properties, agricultural production, and more – should be focusing the minds of politicians Yet, we have a Labor government with a moderate domestic climate policy allowing Australia to continue as the world’s third-largest fossil fuel exporter, and a Coalition using a nuclear fantasy as an excuse for avoiding climate action altogether. Irresponsible.
As Gittins suggests, in the absence of courage to act on this crisis of our time, both major parties are likely to bleed more votes to the Greens and climate-focused independents at the upcoming election. And so they should.
Sarah Brennan, Hawthorn
Coalition’s Trump recipe
At a time when climate change is biting hard, and electricity and fuel prices are high, astonishingly the Coalition’s commitments include scrapping three major offshore wind zones, repealing vehicle emission standards that support the adoption of efficient electric vehicles, reducing building energy standards and a cap on renewables at 54 per cent of electricity supply which, if implemented, is likely to stymie growth within term one of a Dutton government. It’s a Trump-like recipe for greater emissions and higher costs and don’t hold your breath waiting for that nuclear ″white elephant″ to arrive.
Jim Allen, Panorama, SA
The mouse must roar
I remember when we were more closely tied to Great Britain and Europe than we were to America. Definitely better days. Successive federal governments have swung their allegiance to America like a puppy dog to its master.
Great Britain and Europe will never treat Australia in the way that Donald Trump is treating Australia today, and they will respect us and support us if we stand up to him.
It’s time for the mouse to roar. Trump is a bully and bullies don’t like being challenged. It’s time to tell America they can keep their submarines and that they should send the removalists in to Pine Gap, pack up all their possessions there, and go. And, perhaps while we are at it, we can add some tariffs of our own. That will give them plenty of food for thought.
John Cummings, Anglesea
Goodbye ute discount
Before we start considering tariffs on US products, perhaps the most obvious concession to go would be to remove the luxury car tax exemption on large American utes while also saving the Australian taxpayer about $250 million a year.
Don Burns, Ashburton
Not so exceptional
I have always pushed back against anti-Americanism. After all, they produced Elvis, Satchmo, Dylan, Johnny Cash, Hendrix, jazz, blues, gospel, rock, county and folk, and technological advances.
But after the tariff changes, all I can say is its political masters are arrogant megalomaniacs.
Michael Helman, St Kilda East
Help yourself first
Great powers will only come to the assistance of lesser powers if they judge it to be in their self-interest.
Churchill was far more interested in defending Singapore than Australia. Australia’s role in the empire was to provide troops for their wars.
It took a Labor prime minister, John Curtin, to put Australia’s interests first and force the return of AIF troops to Australia in WW2.
The US/Australian alliance has always been of value to Australia if in their interest. With Trump, nothing has really changed other than that he is more up front and transactional in his dealings and far less predictable.
Geoff Champion, Mount Dandenong
Stress-inducing education
At a time when we’re introducing workplace regulations to manage psychosocial hazards, it seems contradictory that we still consider a year 12 curriculum, with its long hours, excessive workload and high stress, as fit for purpose.
The Victorian Department of Education specifies a minimum of 25 hours of instruction per week, but schools typically run variations of a 9am to 3.30pm day, which increases the total to 32.5 hours. Add a minimum of 10-15 hours of additional study, any co-curricular activities and students exceed a 50-hour work week.
At a time when employees have the right to disengage, why aren’t we teaching students the importance of balance? Why do we prioritise academic achievement over mental health?
It’s concerning that so many year 12 students are experiencing stress, anxiety, and withdrawal from social activities. These issues are impacting not just students, but their families too.
Some may argue this pressure builds resilience, but at what cost? It’s time we rethink how we approach education, ensuring it fosters lifelong learning while prioritising mental wellbeing.
Rosemary Montague, Greensborough
Lost opportunity
Once again, the statistics from Closing the Gap show how poorly things are going for the Indigenous population. It should be noted that those who blocked the Voice to parliament have not made any suggestions or developed any policies that might alleviate the appalling reality of the Closing the Gap report, despite assuring us that there was a better way forward.
The only solution that we have heard from the LNP is a cutback in funding and a crackdown on crime. With incarceration rates going up, this will only make the problem worse.
Graeme Gardner, Reservoir
AND ANOTHER THING
Credit: Illustration: Matt Golding
Trade wars
I would love to see a press conference with Jacqui Lambie and Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Now, that would make great TV.
Ron Mather, Melbourne
Let’s send Jacqui Lambie and Clive Palmer over. Jacqui will tell Donald where to stick his tariffs, subs and Pine Gap. Clive will show him we can be a little crazy too.
Doug Perry, Mount Martha
Surely, now is the time to apply the wisdom of Michelle Obama: “When they go low, we go high″.
Ruth Davis, Carrum
Perhaps Australia should close Pine Gap to the US for 25 per cent of the day in response to the tariffs on aluminium and steel.
Nick Thies, Warrnambool
Would Dutton suggest shirt fronting Trump to gain the exemption?
Joan Segrave, Healesville
Strong man Dutton’s answer to US tariffs and upending alliances is to buy another $3 billion of F35s. Take that Donald!
Peter Rushen, Carnegie
Our political leaders need to place reciprocal tariffs on oversized US utes such as the Dodge RAM. Two positive agenda sending outcomes for one tariff.
Andrew Disseldorp, Carlton North
Perhaps would-be Australian tourists could follow the Canadian example and not holiday in the USA and not buy American-made products.
David Lyall, Mount Eliza
Furthermore
Finally, the bail laws are being reviewed in Victoria. Could this have anything to do with the protests outside Jacinta Allan’s Bendigo office?
Christine Hammett, Richmond
Thank you, for prominently carrying the “TRUMPet” advertisement mentioning gender on Wednesday. Now, even more people know who not to vote for in May.
Graham Possingham, Highton
Finally
Until these F1 stars have mastered Melbourne’s infamous CBD ″hook turn″, they’re not world champions in my book.
David Cayzer, Clifton Hill