Break Bail, Face Jail – Liberals and Nationals' plan to fix Labor's broken bail system
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 re-offend while on bail are walking free, and youth offenders remain exempt from any penalty for ignoring their bail conditions.
Under the Allan Labor Government, serious crimes like burglary and robbery are not even listed as serious offences under the Bail Act – meaning repeat offenders face the lowest-level test when applying for bail.
Leader of the Opposition Brad Battin said Victorians were paying the price for Labor's soft-on-crime approach.
"Under Labor, you can break bail and walk free. That's not justice – that's a joke," Mr Battin said.
"Our Break Bail, Face Jail plan will close the loopholes, end the exemptions, and restore real consequences for criminal behaviour. If you break bail, you should face jail – it's that simple."
The new policy will:
- Reinstate the offence of committing an indictable offence while on bail as a Schedule 2 offence – triggering a bail uplift.
- Reinstate the offence of breaching bail conditions as a Schedule 2 offence – requiring offenders to show compelling reasons to be granted bail again.
- Remove the current exemption for youth offenders who breach bail – ending the free pass for under-18s.
- List robbery and burglary as Schedule 2 offences – meaning tougher bail tests apply.
Shadow Attorney-General Michael O'Brien said Labor's bail reforms ignored the most serious triggers for reoffending.
"Labor's bail laws are weaker than the laws that existed just a year ago," Mr O'Brien said.
"They refused to require accountability for bail breaches and repeat offending. They refused to require safeguards around serious crimes. And they refused to act when we proposed amendments that would actually protect the community."
"Under Labor, bail is a joke. Our plan will see bail laws strengthened to put victims ahead of criminals."
"Only the Liberals and Nationals have a real plan to fix Victoria's broken bail system and put community safety first."
With overall offences up 32 per cent in 10 years, recent Crime Statistics Agency data makes clear the true extent of the crisis:
- Residential aggravated burglary is up 203 per cent.
- Car theft is up 73 per cent.
- Youth offending is up 39 per cent over the past decade – and 16 per cent in just the past year.
- Burglary is up 25 per cent in 12 months.
"We will secure Victoria's future by ensuring that Victorian offenders who break bail, face jail," Mr Battin said.
"Labor can't manage crime and community safety, and Victorians are paying the price."
