After blocking attempts by the Victorian Nationals and Liberals to strengthen the state’s bail laws, the Allan Labor Government has shown it has no real plan to address the youth crime crisis.
The Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, said Labor’s refusal to wind back legislation that passed in March to weaken bail laws was evidence the state government is willing to put ideology ahead of community safety.
“Just as Labor weakened bail laws, cut nearly $20 million from the courts in this year’s budget, and cut money from diversion and prevention programs, it has no real answer to the youth crime crisis,” Mr Cameron said.
“Sensible measures that would have made it harder for dangerous people to obtain bail have been snubbed by Labor, and the safety of communities right across Victoria is being compromised because of this.”
Mr Cameron has sponsored a petition on behalf of the family of the late Doctor Ashley Gordon, who was tragically killed in January this year.
The petition calls on the state government to take three actions to address the youth crime crisis:
- Afford police greater ‘stop and search’ powers, including the ability to stop and search if they have reasonable suspicion;
- Reinstate section 30B of the Bail Act, and;
- Cancel plans to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14.
Garnering signatures for the petition with Catherine Gordon, mother of beloved Dr Ash, Mr Cameron said community sentiment on youth crime was loud and clear.
“People are pleading with the Allan Labor Government to implement sensible measures to ensure no family has to suffer through the trauma and grief they are enduring in the wake of Dr Ash’s senseless death,” he said.
“Weakening bail laws, abolishing the crime of committing an offence while on bail and raising the age of criminal responsibility will only exacerbate this crisis.
“Labor cannot manage money, cannot manage our justice system and Victorians are paying the price.”
To sign the petition for change in the name of Dr Ashley Gordon, visit https://shorturl.at/5lxJJ
