By TOM HAYES
VICTORIAN Premier Jacinta Allan is facing backlash after her decision to order an immediate review of the state’s current bail settings and failings.
This comes after the state government announced that bail laws would be toughened in an attempt to crack down on crime activity in July last year.
The changes allowed magistrates and judges to refuse bail wherever they believed there was a risk that a person could commit a serious crime, such as aggravated burglary, robbery, or home invasions.
Repeat offenders would also face tougher laws under the changes made, with a new offence of committing serious crimes while on bail.
Last week, Premier Allan ordered the review, prompting speculation from government insiders that the worsening crime rate was affecting low polling numbers, the Herald Sun reported. Ms Allan rejected these claims.
Nationals Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron took aim at the Premier, and said recidivist offenders have been allowed to run rampant for far too long, only to be bailed and allowed to offend again.
“Jacinta Allan has shown she is more concerned with attempting to rehabilitate violent offenders than she is about keeping Victorians safe,” he said.
“This stunning backflip is a knee-jerk reaction to plummeting polls for Labor and comes conveniently on the eve of the Werribee by-election.
“Even with the admission that more needs to be done to strengthen bail laws, Jacinta Allan has only committed to a review.
“We don’t need a review – we need tougher bail laws now to protect the community.
“The Premier claims we opposed strengthening bail laws. That is not correct. The government did not allow the Nationals and Liberals to introduce a Bill last year to toughen bail laws.”
Former Traralgon local, Dr Ashley Gordon died during a home invasion involving two teenagers last year.
Mr Gordon’s sister, Natalie Gordon, believes the review came too late to save her brother.
“I’ve been jumping up and down about these issues for a year now, and they’re only just starting to take notice,” Ms Gordon said, reported in the Herald Sun last Wednesday (February 5).
“She’s (Premier Allan) honestly not even taking notice of victims. She refuses to speak with us.”
Last month, 91-year-old Morwell man, Harry Wright was found dead inside his home following an alleged aggravated burglary.
Police found the 42-year-old male suspect Moses Alith, who was later found to be on bail, nearby with Mr Wright’s belongings.
Alith was later charged with aggravated burglary, theft, assault, and intentionally causing injury after facing court days after the incident.
He was also charged with failing to answer bail on January 29, the day before the incident.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the suspect was remanded in custody until May 25.
“It’s not for me to comment on Harry’s death, which is currently under investigation, and I certainly don’t want to politicise this tragedy,” Mr Cameron said.
“But something has got to give, and this must serve as a line in the sand, because the fact is that people are living in fear and don’t feel safe in their own homes.
“The Latrobe local government area has the highest rate of criminal incidents in Victoria outside of metropolitan Melbourne.
“Not enough is being done to address rising crime which has been exacerbated by over 1000 vacancies in Victoria Police, weakened bail laws, and scrapping of the Minister for Crime Prevention.
“Residents feel scared, and the state government must start listening to Victorian communities and prioritising their safety.”
The latest Report on Government Services (RoGS), published on February 4, has exposed the state government, according to the Opposition.
The report shows:
-A 17.97 per cent increase in road deaths, which the Liberals link to the decision to cut spending on roads and policing;
-Real per capita police expenditure dropped by four per cent, where the Liberals believe it stretches police thinner amid rising crime rates;
-Victoria recorded the second-lowest growth in police funding nationally;
-The number of judicial officers has declined, despite a 19.2 per cent increase in case backlogs, meaning victims are waiting longer for justice, and;
-Victoria has the lowest prison bed utilisation rate in the country.
Shadow Minister for Police, David Southwick said the state government’s cuts to policing and failure to get criminals off the streets were putting Victorians at risk.
“Victoria is spending less on policing while crime is rising. Instead of putting criminals behind bars, Labor is cutting resources and leaving police underfunded and courts overwhelmed,” he said.
“Under Labor, fewer police are on the beat, the courts are backed up, and prison beds are sitting empty while offenders roam free.”
Shadow Attorney-General, Michael O’Brien believes Labor’s mismanagement is failing victims.
“The Liberals and Nationals have repeatedly called for stronger policing, greater judicial resources, and tougher sentencing to ensure criminals are taken off the streets and victims receive justice,” he said.
“The latest (RoGS) data proves Labor’s approach is failing, and Victorians are paying the price.”
Despite the numbers, the latest RoGS data also shows that Victoria has the most operational and none-operational fulltime staff compared to any other state in Australia, with 81,848 total staff members, according to the state government.
The state government admitted more needs to be done to ensure the safety of Victorian communities.
“Last year, we introduced new laws to deliver tougher consequences for serious, repeat offenders. These changes are already making a difference,” a state government spokesperson said.
“It is clear that we need to go even further. There are still too many Victorians – especially women and children – who don’t feel safe.
“The Premier has asked the Attorney-General (Sonya Kilkenny) and the Minister for Police (Anthony Carbines) to review our current laws, including bail laws.
“Everyone has the right to live and work safely.”
