NORTH-EAST: Youth offending up 39 per cent
“Crime in Victoria has risen in the past 10 years under Labor’s watch, with overall offences up 32 per cent,” says Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish.
“Youth offenders has increased by 39 per cent, and up a staggering 16 per cent in just the past year alone.
“Locals deserve the right to be and feel safe in their own homes and on the streets. Labor’s bail laws have failed – it’s time to fix them,” Ms McLeish said.
The Liberals and Nationals will restore accountability to Victoria’s bail system with a new policy that reinstates consequences for repeat and youth offenders – and puts community safety first.
“Labor’s broken bail laws are fuelling a crime crisis across the state. Offenders who breach bail or reoffend while on bail are walking free, and youth offenders remain exempt from any penalty for ignoring their bail conditions.
“Under Labor, you can break bail and walk free. That’s not justice – that’s a joke.”
Ms McLeish said the Liberals and Nationals’ Break Bail, Face Jail Plan will:
n Reinstate the offence of committing an indictable offence while on bail
n Reinstate the offence of breaching bail conditions as a Schedule 2 offence
n Remove the current exemption for youth offenders who breach bail – ending the free pass for under-18s.