The Minns Labor Government will introduce reforms to strengthen the justice system and keep the community safe.
The Justice Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill (No 2) 2026 to be introduced to Parliament today will improve existing legal frameworks and court processes for children and adults.
Sexual assault reforms
The Government will make alternative verdicts available for a wider range of sexual offences against children, young people in care and people with a cognitive impairment.
These complainants are especially vulnerable in the justice system, and the change will help ensure greater consistency in sexual assault trials.
Protections for child sexual assault complainants under the age of 16 will also be extended to reduce trauma.
Child complainants aged between 16 and 18 will not be required to give evidence in the Children's Court unless compelling reasons in the interests of justice can be demonstrated. This mirrors special protections currently available to under 16s.
The offence of sexual assault by forced self-manipulation will also be strengthened to capture a broader range of conduct in line with a recommendation from the NSW Law Reform Commission's Consent in relation to sexual offences report.
Life means life
The Government will clarify the law to put beyond doubt that offenders sentenced to life imprisonment since NSW's 1990 'truth in sentencing' reforms can never be released or seek to have their sentences redetermined.
Some of NSW's worst murderers, who have been sentenced to life with a judicial recommendation they never be released, will also no longer be able to apply for a review of their sentence under the Crimes (Appeal and Review) Act 2001.
Strengthening bail
The Government will ensure residential rehabilitation facilities are operating in line with court and community expectations.
Courts will be required to explicitly consider a facility's ability to adequately supervise someone when making bail decisions.
This reform responds to a recommendation from a Department of Community and Justice review of Connect Global as it related to bail.
Terrorism powers
Preventative detention powers relating to terrorism will be extended for another three years.
The Terrorism (Police Powers) Act 2002 allows police to detain someone for up to 14 days to help prevent or preserve evidence in relation to a terrorist attack.
Without this extension, the powers would have sunset in December. A statutory review of the Act will be conducted after the conclusion of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.
Attorney General Michael Daley said:
"These reforms will improve the justice system to better protect the community from harm. They recognise the special vulnerability of children and people with a cognitive impairment in our courts.
"The Government is also giving courts clearer guidance when it comes to residential rehabilitation and bail, and extending a strict bail test for young people accused of high-risk offences.
"We know 22C has helped reduce offending and keep communities safe and we're not willing to let the law sunset next month.
"We are also making sure police have the powers they need to keep the public safe when it comes to terrorist incidents."
