Bail laws are a crucial part of the justice system, balancing the rights of the accused with the need to protect the community.

When concerns about crime and public safety reach a tipping point, governments often face pressure to act decisively.

A significant shift in bail policy is set to take place—one that could reshape how the system handles repeat offenders and serious crimes.

Victoria was set to introduce what the state government called the ‘toughest bail laws in Australia’ following a surge in crime that placed mounting pressure on authorities to act.

Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed the reforms, stating they aimed to enhance community safety amid growing concerns over offences such as aggravated burglaries and car thefts.

‘We’re introducing the toughest bail laws in Australia to keep Victorians safe,’ she said on social media.

Victoria to enforce toughest bail laws yet. Image source: Pexel/RDNE Stock project

The changes would raise the threshold for bail approval in serious cases, making it significantly harder for repeat offenders to secure release.

Cabinet ministers convened on Tuesday to discuss the proposed reforms, which Allan said would restore ‘respect for bail—with consequences for breaking the rules.’

A review of the bail system was launched in early 2025 under the leadership of Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny and Police Minister Anthony Carbines.

Victoria’s bail laws had undergone several revisions in recent years, initially tightening in 2018 following the Bourke Street tragedy, where James Gargasoulas killed six people and injured dozens after driving into Melbourne’s busy mall while on bail.

However, these stricter measures later came under scrutiny, particularly after a coronial inquest into the 2020 death of Indigenous woman Veronica Nelson.

Nelson had been refused bail for breaching bail conditions and suspicion of shoplifting before she died in custody.

The inquest condemned the system as a ‘complete and unmitigated disaster,’ prompting legislative changes in March 2024 that made it easier for low-level offenders to secure bail.

As Victoria prepared for yet another shift in policy, the government emphasised that community safety would remain at the forefront of its decisions.

Watch how the Victorian government plans to crack down on youth crime and enforce the country’s toughest bail laws.

Tap the video below for the full story.

Source: Youtube/Sky News Australia​

Key Takeaways

• Victoria planned to introduce stricter bail laws, described as the ‘toughest in Australia,’ in response to rising crime rates and public pressure.
• The reforms aimed to make it harder for repeat offenders to secure bail, with Premier Jacinta Allan stating they would ‘restore respect for bail—with consequences for breaking the rules.’
• Previous bail law changes, including those implemented after the 2018 Bourke Street tragedy, had faced criticism, particularly following the 2020 death of Veronica Nelson in custody.
• The government emphasised that the latest reforms would prioritise community safety while addressing past issues in the justice system.

With Victoria set to introduce tougher bail laws, do you think these changes will effectively reduce crime, or will they create new challenges? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

 

[Cookimonster$]

These young criminals should be moved to woomera under strict conditions and far away from society. There is plenty of accommodation there left over from old imergration facilities. If we are going to get tough on these little bastards this needs to be put in place immediately.

 

[Anthony Ellul]

These young criminals should be moved to woomera under strict conditions and far away from society. There is plenty of accommodation there left over from old imergration facilities. If we are going to get tough on these little bastards this needs to be put in place immediately.

Well, well, well. Jacinta had to cave in after constant evidence that the State has become the epicentre of youth crime. She had to be dragged kicking and screaming. She is now trying to survive but the die is cast. There is still the details of this proposed legislation to be revealed and knowing this Labor Government there are likely to include significant “escape” clauses in it. That is their form.

 

[Witch25]

We need to do the same in Queensland and also to hold judges accountable when they dont sentence offenders and they re offend.

 

[Marty F]

Bail is bail,if you reoffend you don't get bail a second time
In NT some Aboriginals have had bail 35plus times, one recently hit a two month old baby with a blunt object whilst robbing another house.
This has to stop

 

[mylittletibbies]

Not before time!!

 

[ronk]

young criminals dont deserve bail.....

 

[Cookimonster$]

We need to do the same in Queensland and also to hold judges accountable when they dont sentence offenders and they re offend.

Yes agree and judges should be charged with accessory to murder when they release criminals that have been charged with serious crimes multiple times then commit murder when they are let out .

 

[Cheezil]

Still pathetic & no doubt another election promise that will get watered down anyway!

Jails are apparently full so send them to serve in military/navy for length of time that the jail sentence should be for such nasty crimes! Here recently locally in country Vic I saw acase where murderer was given 5yrs jail for their crime in 2006- what an absolute joke our justice system is, surely taking someone's life deserves a lot more than 5yrs - feel so sad & sorry for the victims family!

We the public all over Australia are well & truly sick of hearing the same old story

 

[Jumping Jack Flash]

Adult jail time for these young hooligans when they involve themselves in adult crime

 

[mylittletibbies]

Still pathetic & no doubt another election promise that will get watered down anyway!

Jails are apparently full so send them to serve in military/navy for length of time that the jail sentence should be for such nasty crimes! Here recently locally in country Vic I saw acase where murderer was given 5yrs jail for their crime in 2006- what an absolute joke our justice system is, surely taking someone's life deserves a lot more than 5yrs - feel so sad & sorry for the victims family!

We the public all over Australia are well & truly sick of hearing the same old story

Totally agree with you .but unfortunately our armed forces are well under required numbers and can't really be expected to spend their time babysitting juvenile delinquents.
I worked for the Army back in the early 70s. You would be surprised how many conscripts spent their time creating problems, getting charged, locked up, getting out and repeating.
Admittedly they didn't want to be there and eventually most of them towed the line. But that was a lifetime ago.
Today these little buggars have no respect for themselves, their parents, police or the law.
Better our recruit trainers spend their time on people who want to make the armed services their career.
Some type of bootcamp in the middle of nowhere, so they can't shoot through, with army style discipline would be better.
I can hear all the goody two shoes screaming already.

 

[Jumping Jack Flash]

Totally agree with you .but unfortunately our armed forces are well under required numbers and can't really be expected to spend their time babysitting juvenile delinquents.
I worked for the Army back in the early 70s. You would be surprised how many conscripts spent their time creating problems, getting charged, locked up, getting out and repeating.
Admittedly they didn't want to be there and eventually most of them towed the line. But that was a lifetime ago.
Today these little buggars have no respect for themselves, their parents, police or the law.
Better our recruit trainers spend their time on people who want to make the armed services their career.
Some type of bootcamp in the middle of nowhere, so they can't shoot through, with army style discipline would be better.
I can hear all the goody two shoes screaming already.

I ain't screaming and I ain't any goody goody two shoe either ...

 

[Colette 3799]

It all sounds good on paper but let’s hope the courts do their job. Banning machetes should be immediate and anyone supplying them should be charged. There should also be raids on the houses of known offenders to confiscate them. Maybe there should be a scheme to surrender them like they did with firearms.

 

[ToniaKisliakov]

What about arresting lying politicians who make promises and do not deliver like this lying Federal Government that promised to bring down electricity prices and did not
They prefer to pay scammers - Paris agreement millions or billions and keep costs at higher than normal rates

 

[mOiOz]

MERRY BLOODY XMAS!!!!!

 

[Trina G]

Well, well, well. Jacinta had to cave in after constant evidence that the State has become the epicentre of youth crime. She had to be dragged kicking and screaming. She is now trying to survive but the die is cast. There is still the details of this proposed legislation to be revealed and knowing this Labor Government there are likely to include significant “escape” clauses in it. That is their form.

Instead of offering some sensible solutions you are just making a political statement.

 

[gordon1940]

Totally agree with you .but unfortunately our armed forces are well under required numbers and can't really be expected to spend their time babysitting juvenile delinquents.
I worked for the Army back in the early 70s. You would be surprised how many conscripts spent their time creating problems, getting charged, locked up, getting out and repeating.
Admittedly they didn't want to be there and eventually most of them towed the line. But that was a lifetime ago.
Today these little buggars have no respect for themselves, their parents, police or the law.
Better our recruit trainers spend their time on people who want to make the armed services their career.
Some type of bootcamp in the middle of nowhere, so they can't shoot through, with army style discipline would be better.
I can hear all the goody two shoes screaming already.

Why on earth would we pass on Criminals to the Armed Services for them to fix? Absolute Bloody nonsense.

 

[novezar]

Not before time!!

More like

Not before time!!

More like, about bloody time.

 

[Anthony Ellul]

Instead of offering some sensible solutions you are just making a political statement.

Facts are facts. This was not a political statement.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Looks like Jacinta Allan has another Big Build on her hands.

A 10000 cell facility in the middle of the Mallee, with inmates fed entirely on a diet of pork products and all forms of religion prohibited.

Would that be a big enough deterrent to stop certain "members" of the community from offending?

Probably not!