Victims of youth crime in Victoria have expressed deep mistrust towards Premier Jacinta Allan, doubting the effectiveness of proposed bail law changes aimed at addressing rising violent crime. Under mounting public pressure, Allan has committed to implementing what she claims will be the “strictest bail laws in Australia”. The new legislation is intended to prioritise community safety in bail decisions, potentially altering the current practice where remand is often seen as a last resort for juveniles.
Significantly, the reforms will reinstate penalties for committing serious offences while on bail—reversing a previous repeal. It will also make obtaining bail more challenging for those charged with severe crimes such as gun offences, arson, carjackings, and non-aggravated home invasions, while machetes are set to be classified as prohibited weapons in an attempt to combat knife crime.
Allan has publicly apologised to crime victims for the trauma they have endured. However, individuals like Anthony Pinzone, who suffered losses after luxury vehicles were stolen by a youth with multiple prior bail violations, remain sceptical. Pinzone described his financial burden, amounting to between $20,000 and $30,000, due to the alleged theft and voiced frustration at the delayed response from the Premier: “What’s going to be different now?” he questioned.
Following past tragedies where young individuals were killed in incidents linked to youths on bail, police have welcomed the proposed reforms, yet they call for more stringent penalties for young offenders. RMIT University criminologist Dr. Marietta Martinovic highlighted the negative consequences of incarceration for young people, asserting that it often perpetuates criminal behaviour rather than rehabilitating offenders. Critics, including the Victorian Greens, advocate for preventative measures that address the root causes of youth crime instead of reactive legislation.
John Silvester, a crime writer from The Age, echoed these sentiments and stressed the need for a more efficient justice system, arguing that while tough laws are necessary, the overarching goal should be to establish the best bail laws. In response to concerns about the speed of the judicial process, Allan assured that resources would be allocated to accommodate the anticipated increase in remand cases, reiterating her commitment to community safety.
Overall, while the proposed jail reforms have sparked discussions, they have also raised questions about their potential effectiveness and the broader strategies needed to truly mitigate youth crime and support affected individuals.