If you break bail, you face jail. That is the crux of a new major policy as The Nationals join the Liberals in restoring accountability to Victoria’s bail system and stemming the crime wave across regional Victoria.
The “Break Bail, Face Jail” policy will re-instate the consequences for repeat and youth offenders and put the safety of regional Victorians first.
The Nationals’ Member for Morwell Martin Cameron was joined by Opposition Leader Brad Battin and Shadow Attorney General Michael O’Brien in Morwell on Monday, to announce the new policy with Natalie Gordon, tireless advocate for bail reform and sister of the late Dr Ash Gordon.
“Victorians have had enough of the state government’s soft approach on crime, and this policy prioritises the safety of communities over the rights of repeat offenders – something Labor has failed to do time and time again,” Mr Cameron said.
“I have been campaigning for tougher bail laws with Nat and the Gordon family since the death of their beloved Dr Ash, and it’s no stretch to say recent changes wouldn’t have happened without their advocacy.
“But this policy goes further – it reclassifies several offences to ensure repeat offenders face tougher bail tests.”
The Nationals and Liberals’ “Break Bail, Face Jail” policy will:
- Reinstate the offence of committing an indictable offence while on bail as a Schedule 2 offence – triggering a bail uplift.
- Reinstate the offence of breaching bail conditions as a Schedule 2 offence – requiring offenders to show compelling reasons to be granted bail again.
- Remove the current exemption for youth offenders who breach bail – ending the free pass for under-18s.
- List robbery and burglary as Schedule 2 offences – meaning tougher bail tests apply.
“For too long Labor has failed to take decisive action to prioritise the safety of Victorian communities,” Mr Cameron said.
“This policy ensures it will be harder for repeat offenders to gain bail, because bail is a privilege – not a given right.”
