Leader of the Opposition, Lia Finocchiaro, says the Gunner Government has completely
abandoned its ‘tougher than ever’ crackdown on youth crime – instead further watering down
its already inadequate bail amendments.
“After waiting until the eleventh hour to present these bail amendments, Labor has been
inundated with criticism. That’s forced the Gunner Government to cave to pressure from
lobby groups and propose an amendment to insert the term ‘exceptional circumstances’ to
describe situations where repeat offenders can be bailed.
“This is a desperate political attempt to re-write the narrative and completely ignores broad
community support for genuine consequences for repeat offenders. Labor has tried to tailor
a political solution to the serious issue of law and order – and they just don’t match.
“The Gunner Government should bring sensible reform, yet introduces these overly complicated, ambiguous changes, which barely shuffles in the right direction.
“The CLP Opposition does not support this morning’s additional amendment,” said Ms
Finocchiaro.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Gerard Maley, says Labor is deeply divided over this issue.
“In an extraordinary move, Federal Labor Senator Malarndirri McCarthy has broken ranks to
call on the Chief Minister to hit the pause button on his rushed youth bail changes. Not even
Labor’s own members can agree on how to move forward with this important law and order
reform.
“This legislation was cobbled together in a knee-jerk reaction to the A Current Affair story
aired in March, and the Opposition’s Bail Amendment Bill 2021. It’s convoluted, confusing and
the Gunner Government is struggling to sell its own message,” said Mr Maley.