Time for Change: Urgent Call for Bail Reform in Victoria

The Urgent Call for Bail Reform in Victoria

Introduction

The Victorian Greens have raised concerns over the delay in implementing meaningful bail reform in Victoria, arguing that any postponement could have devastating consequences for First Nations Victorians and contribute to the growing numbers of unsentenced prisoners on remand. The party has expressed disappointment over the government’s decision to table a bail bill in the coming weeks, but with proposed reforms set to take effect only after a year. Additionally, the Greens have criticized the government’s intention to limit the ‘reverse onus’ test, contrary to the recommendations of legal experts and First Nations advocates who call for its complete removal.

The Need for Meaningful Bail Reform

The call for bail reform stems from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, which emphasized the importance of reducing the number of Indigenous deaths in detention by using prison as a last resort. The Greens, in line with legal experts and First Nations advocates, argue that implementing meaningful bail reform is crucial to achieving this objective.

Katherine Copsey, the Victorian Greens justice spokesperson, highlights the disappointment in the government’s failure to address the call for reform, suggesting that political motivations may be behind this delay. More than one in three people currently in detention in Victoria are not sentenced, a figure that rises even higher for women. Copsey emphasizes that vulnerable individuals are being held in pre-trial detention without sufficient justification, and this situation needs to be rectified urgently.

The Greens’ Proposal for Bail Reform

To address these concerns, the Greens have prepared their own exposure draft Bail Amendment Bill in collaboration with justice stakeholders. Their proposal aligns with the recommendations of legal experts and First Nations advocates and focuses on introducing meaningful bail reform as soon as possible. The party aims to work constructively with the government to ensure that these reforms are implemented effectively.

Copsey emphasizes that the Greens have a bill ready to be tabled in Parliament immediately, based on expert advice and community concerns. However, she stresses that what is currently lacking is the political will to take action promptly.

It is crucial for the government to consider the Greens’ proposal seriously and collaborate with them to achieve comprehensive bail reform. Without urgent and meaningful changes, the Victorian Labor Government may find itself responsible for the highest incarceration rates of First Nations Victorians in recorded history, leaving a lasting and regrettable legacy.

Conclusion

The need for bail reform in Victoria is clear. The delay in implementing these reforms can have severe consequences, particularly for First Nations Victorians who are disproportionately represented in the justice system. The Greens’ call for urgent action should be supported, as their proposal is aligned with expert advice and community concerns.

The government must set aside political motivations and work constructively with the Greens to ensure that meaningful bail reform is implemented as soon as possible. It is only through decisive actions that the goal of reducing Indigenous deaths in custody and minimizing the number of unsentenced prisoners can be achieved.