LABOR’S AXED BAIL REVIEW A BLOW TO VICTIMS, FAMILIES AND POLICE

Deborah Morris MLA

Shadow Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Community Safety

Peter Cain MLA

Shadow Attorney-General; Shadow Minister for Planning and Environment; Shadow Minister for Housing Services; Assistant Speaker

Media Release

4 February 2025

The ACT Government’s decision to axe a desperately needed review into the ACT’s broken bail system threatens community safety and undermines the efforts of ACT Policing, Shadow Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Community Safety Deborah Morris said.

“This is a huge blow to victims of crime and an insult to the tireless efforts of our police who work around the clock to keep our community safe,” Mrs Morris said.

“For too long, bail and sentencing in the ACT has failed to deliver justice for victims, families and the community.

“The current system seems to favour the rights of convicted offenders over the rights victims, while our police officers are caught in an endless cycle of catch and release.

“Our police are stretched dangerously thin as it is. The ACT Government’s broken bail system means police must divert precious resources to re-arresting criminals at large in the community on bail.

“A review into the bail system was a step toward restoring justice in the ACT. This decision has set back the cause of justice in the ACT which is a huge blow to victims and law enforcement,” Mrs Morris said.

Shadow Attorney-General Peter Cain said the ACT Government’s decision to disband the Law Reform and Sentencing Advisory Council, which was tasked with conducting the review, was disappointing.

“Bail reform deserves the explicit expertise and attention that the Council would have provided, unfortunately, it has now been left to fall by the wayside,” Mr Cain said.