The Finocchiaro CLP Government will today introduce the strongest bail laws in Australia.
In an emergency session of Parliament, which follows the tragic death of Nightcliff shop owner Linford Feick, the government will introduce the Bail and Youth Justice Legislation Amendment Bill 2025.
The Bill further strengthens the amendments to the Bail Act made in October 2024 through Declan's Law.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said: "This Bill places community safety at the heart of our bail system."
"These new laws will ensure the Northern Territory has the strongest bail laws in Australia," she said.
"We inherited a system that places too much emphasis on the historical trauma of perpetrators rather than focusing on ongoing harm to the community.
"The terrorisation of innocent people, particularly at the hands of those on bail for serious offences, needs to stop.
"Linford Feick's shocking death has unified our community to demand better and that's what's driving my team."
Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby said: "Under these new laws, the presumption against bail will also apply to serious violence offences which includes assault with intent to steal and sexual offences, such as indecent touching or indecent act."
"This Bill also changes the test for the offences that the presumption against bail is applied, to require that bail must not be granted to a person unless the court has a 'high degree of confidence' that the person will not, if released, commit a serious violence offence or prescribed offence, or endanger the safety of the community," said Ms Boothby.
"This means that for applications for bail for offences which previously only had a presumption against bail applying, there is now a further test requiring the court to have a high degree of confidence in the person in order to grant bail.
"Importantly, the Bill also makes amendments to the criteria considered in bail applications for youth to remove consideration of detention as a last resort and any stigma that might attach to a youth on bail.
"The amendments to the Act as a whole, strengthen the presumption against bail and reinforces that the starting point is that there is no bail for serious offending."
Deputy Chief Minister and Corrections Minister Gerard Maley said: "Our government is taking urgent, decisive action because we are committed to fighting for a safer Territory."
"We recognise that tougher bail laws will mean a greater demand on our corrections system, and we are ready," said Mr Maley.
"We have already delivered 500 additional beds in prisons across the Territory, and the Department of Corrections is working urgently with the Department of Logistics and Infrastructure to increase capacity as quickly as possible.
"If you commit a crime, we will find a prison bed for you - even in overcrowded conditions - because it is far better for offenders to be behind bars than out on the street committing crimes against Territorians."
