Community safety will remain a top priority under a re-elected Liberal Government, with important reforms aimed at cracking down on crime and its causes.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said Tasmania is one of the safest places in the world, but we've seen concerning rises in crimes committed by young people over recent times.
"Community safety must come first, and we won't be letting a small portion of criminals take hold in our State, as it has in others," the Premier said.
"A re-elected Liberal Government will tackle this head-on.
"We will continue to focus our efforts on diverting young people from the youth justice system and stopping them from offending in the first place.
"That includes continued investment into diversionary programs such as JCP Youth, the creation of a statewide Divert and Connect program, and the establishment of a new Youth Hub in Glenorchy.
"We'll be working to make the Divert and Connect program court-mandated, with a strong focus on early intervention and mental health support. This program will begin immediately."
The Liberals will also seek to update the Youth Justice Act with a view to adding diversion options, sentencing provisions, aggravating factors in sentencing and options for the practical application of doli incapax.
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, said Tasmanians were fed up with serious, repeat young offenders in their communities.
"Our Police do an amazing job every single day, but they're often let down by weak bail laws allowing serious repeat young offenders to continue their crime sprees," Minister Ellis said.
"A re-elected Liberal Government will bring this to an end, introducing new bail laws for serious repeat young offenders.
"We will be making breach of bail an offence for youths who flout the law, and this will include a bail test that puts community safety at the forefront.
"And we will continue our design work on a $3 million assisted bail program, including transition from the detention system and accommodation options.
"We'll also continue to address growing concerns of knife crime by banning the sale of certain knives and other edged weapons to young people under the age of 18, unless there is a lawful reason for the purchase, such as being an apprentice.
"This follows the Liberals' strong new knife crime laws, Reid's Law, which allows police to detect and remove knives using metal detection wands, with increased penalties for those caught with these life-ending weapons.
"A re-elected Liberal Government will continue to deliver an increased police presence to tackle anti-social behaviour in hotspots.
"We've seen promising results from Taskforces in Glenorchy and Launceston, and I look forward to building on this momentum.
"Tasmanians have told us they want a Government that keeps them safe, and by being tough on crime, and the causes of crime, that's exactly what a re-elected Liberal Government will deliver."
