Andrews Labor Government puts off urgent bail changes – again

REFORM to our bail system is one of the most urgent challenges facing Victoria, yet Daniel Andrews continues to drag his feet, says Shadow Attorney-General John Pesutto.

Yesterday, the Andrews Labor Government delayed its bail amendments which were due for debate in the upper house of the Victorian Parliament.

With the Bourke Street tragedy having occurred on 20 January 2017, the Andrews Labor Government has had 13 months to make changes to Victoria’s bail laws.

The Liberal Nationals have repeatedly called on Daniel Andrews to make bail laws an urgent priority in the Parliament.

Despite that, Daniel Andrews continues to delay bail law changes.

The Government’s first set of bail changes passed the Parliament last year and have a commencement date of 1 July 2018 while the Government’s second set of bail changes which are before the Parliament have a commencement date of 1 October 2018.

During the last sitting week, the Liberal Nationals moved amendments to set an earlier commencement date for both bail bill so they can become law sooner.

Instead of commencement dates of 1 July 2018 and 1 October 2018, our amendments will if passed set a commencement date of 30 March 2018 for both bills.

If Daniel Andrews agrees that bail changes are urgent, he will support our amendments.

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