Bail laws
Michael O’BRIEN (Malvern) (14:08): My question is to the Attorney-General. Over a month ago the Premier announced a so-called urgent review into Victoria’s weak bail laws. Every day the government dithers, more Victorians are put at risk. On what date exactly will the Attorney-General introduce legislation to strengthen Victoria’s bail laws?
Sonya KILKENNY (Carrum – Attorney-General, Minister for Planning) (14:08): I thank the member for Malvern for his question. Let us recognise that we know every Victorian has the right to live and work safely in this state. We also know that if anyone inhibits or impinges upon that right they should feel the full consequences of that. We also know that many Victorians do not feel safe, and as the member has highlighted, the Premier has asked me and the police minister to conduct a review of our laws, including our bail laws. It is important that we do this. It is important because we are listening to Victorians, and we want to respond to Victorians and ensure that they can live and work safely in this state.
Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, this was a very narrow question, and I ask you to ask the Attorney to come back to that very narrow question: on exactly what date?
Mary-Anne Thomas: Speaker, on the point of order, the minister was asked about the review that she has been commissioned to deliver by the Premier as part of the question. She is discussing that, and I ask that you rule the point of order out of order.
The SPEAKER: The Attorney was being relevant to the question that was asked. I cannot direct the Attorney how to answer the question.
Sonya KILKENNY: It is important that the police minister and I continue with that work and continue with a sense of urgency. As I have said, this is a matter of priority for me. It is a matter of priority for the police minister, for our Premier and for this government. It is important that Victorians feel safe where they work and where they live. We will conduct that work, and we will have more to say very, very soon.
Michael O’BRIEN (Malvern) (14:10): Last year youth offenders breached bail conditions at a rate of one every 3 hours. Following Labor’s weakening of Victoria’s bail laws, it is now no longer an offence for a person on bail to breach a condition of bail. Will the Attorney-General at least guarantee to Victorians that the government will reverse this weakening of bail laws and ensure the conditions on bail will once again mean something?
Sonya KILKENNY (Carrum – Attorney-General, Minister for Planning) (14:11): What I will guarantee is this: that we are conducting a review of our justice laws, including our bail laws, because we are listening to our community. We understand our community are feeling unsafe in their homes and in their workplaces, and we are responding to that. The member mentioned laws last year, and as the member well knows, we strengthened bail laws last year. In December those opposite voted against those laws.
Michael O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, on the basis that standing orders require ministers’ answers to be factual, the fact is that the government changed the laws to make breaching bail no longer an offence and weakened bail laws.
The SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
Sonya KILKENNY: As I was saying, last year we introduced reforms to our bail laws to toughen and strengthen our bail laws – laws that those opposite opposed. We have made sure that bail decision makers must take into account many matters in deciding whether to grant or refuse bail. It is also why we will be introducing the pilot – (Time expired)