Leader of the Opposition, Lia Finocchiaro, says the CLP will bring crucial bail reform back
before Parliament to curb repeat youth offending – and is demanding the Gunner Labor
Government back our Bill.
“Territorians are being brutalised and victimised on a daily basis because of the Gunner
Government’s bail failures.
“Labor’s tweaks to the legislation have barely made a ripple against the Territory-wide crime
wave. How many more Territorians need to be bashed, robbed or killed before this Chief
Minister takes serious action?
“The incompetent Gunner Labor Government wants Territorians to wait another 18 months
to see if its weak bail amendments are having any impact. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to
work out they aren’t.
In just the past month, police have publicly reported:
- A 15-year-old who allegedly stole a taxi and used it during a crime spree through Palmerston, Pinelands, the CBD and the Waterfront was on bail at the time.
- Two 15-year-olds who allegedly broke into a home at Gillen and stole two cars were on bail at the time. Two alleged co-accused, also aged 15, were charged with unlawfully possessing stolen property and released on bail.
- A 13-year-old and 15-year-old allegedly involved in a number of unlawful entries and car thefts in Nightcliff, Cullen Bay and Durack were on bail at the time.
- A 13-year-old who was part of a group which allegedly attacked Alderman Gary Haslett at Casuarina was on bail at the time.
- A 17-year-old charged over a string of offences in Palmerston was on bail at the time. Two of his alleged co-accused, both aged 16, were charged with unlawful entry, property damage, stealing and breaching COVID lockdown rules and were both released on bail.
- A 17-year-old who was charged with aggravated robbery in Nhulunbuy after allegedly attacking a man inside his home with a blunt weapon was released on bail.
“The CLP’s bail amendments set a presumption against bail for repeat adult AND youth
offenders, and reinstates breach of bail conditions as an offence for youths.
“These are key changes that will have an immediate impact.
“We know the Chief Minister hates Parliamentary scrutiny but he can’t just wipe the three
days, which were lost to lockdown, from the sittings schedule completely. The CLP Opposition
is demanding those days are added to end of the scheduled September sittings so we can
hold Labor to account over the escalating crime crisis,” said Mrs Finocchiaro.
ENDS