A $30 million cut to Victoria's court system in the Allan Labor Government's budget will further delay justice and place community safety at serious risk.
The cuts to Court Services Victoria will worsen the backlog of criminal matters awaiting trial, leaving victims without justice, and forcing courts to delay proceedings even further.
Shadow Attorney-General Michael O'Brien said the budget cuts would have direct and dangerous consequences for public safety.
"Longer court backlogs mean more serious offenders are granted bail - not because they're safe, but because Labor is too incompetent to fund the court system properly," Mr O'Brien said.
"Under Labor's bail laws, delays in court proceedings can be a key reason bail is granted. These budget cuts increase the risk that people accused of violent crimes are released back into the community."
The Bail Act requires decision-makers to consider the likely delay in time served on remand. With court wait times already under pressure, further cuts to the justice system will only make it easier for repeat and violent offenders to avoid remand and reoffend while awaiting trial.
Mr O'Brien said the government's refusal to back the Liberals and Nationals' 'Break Bail, Face Jail' reforms, combined with cuts to both Victoria Police and the courts, sent a clear message.
"Labor has weakened bail laws, refused to fix them, and now they're slashing funding to the very institutions that protect Victorians. This government's failure is now a threat to community safety."
"Labor's budget slogan may say it's 'focused on what matters most' - but clearly, protecting the community doesn't matter to Jacinta Allan."
"Labor can't manage money, can't manage the courts, and can't manage public safety. Victorians are the ones paying the price."
