After blocking attempts by the Victorian Nationals and Liberals to strengthen the state’s bail laws, Jacinta Allan has performed a stunning backflip by admitting Labor’s weakened bail laws have compromised community safety.
The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, said repeat offenders have been allowed to run rampant for far too long – breaking into homes, terrorising communities, and committing serious assault – only to be bailed and allowed to offend again.
“Jacinta Allan has shown she is more concerned with attempting to rehabilitate violent offenders than she is about keeping Victorians safe,” Ms Benham said.
“This stunning backflip is a knee-jerk reaction to plummeting polls for Labor.
“Even with the admission that more needs to be done to strengthen bail laws, Jacinta Allan has only committed to a review.
“We don’t need a review – we need tougher bail laws now to protect the community. Our community does not feel safe and we need to see action.”
“For years, victims of crime and law-abiding citizens have been let down by a government that refuses to take their safety seriously. Time and time again, the Andrews and now Allan governments have prioritised soft-on-crime policies over real justice,” she said.
“The government cannot continue to drag its feet on this issue while innocent Victorians are living in fear.”
Ms Benham said the Nationals will continue to push for reforms to ensure that violent and repeat offenders are not given a free pass to continue their crimes.
“Enough is enough. Victorians deserve a government that prioritises their safety, not one that waits for a political crisis before acknowledging what the community has been saying for years. Labor must act now—not after another review, not after another crime, but now.”
