The Malinauskas Labor Government has continued to prove it is soft on crime – voting against Opposition amendments to the Recidivist Young Offenders Bill that would legislate a tough new one strike, break bail, face jail rule.
Shadow Minister for Community Safety, Police and Correctional Services, Jack Batty said despite a 50 per cent increase in matters before the youth court and a 60 per cent increase in breaches of bail since 2021, the Labor Government is refusing to take strong action against recidivist young offenders.
“Yesterday, Labor voted against tough new laws that would mean if a youth was breaking bail, they would face jail. When will Labor finally put community safety first?" Mr Batty said.
“After four years of inaction, Labor is scrambling to introduce weak laws in the dying days of Parliament that still allow kids to commit crime over and over again with no consequence.
“Under Labor’s weak laws a youth would need to be convicted of assaulting a bottle shop worker not once, not twice, not three times – but four times before there was a presumption against bail. This is madness.
“A new Liberal Government, if elected in 2026, will introduce tough legislation to ensure there are consequences for crime and put community safety first.
“This is in stark contrast to Labor that has allowed youth crime to get out of control under its watch, and instead want to introduce weak legislation that will only act as a band aid on a problem the size of a bullet hole."
The State Liberal Party has already announced a number of policies to restore law and order to our streets and suburbs, including: - Introducing the break bail, face jail – one strike rule legislation.
- Establishing a $40 million Breaking the Cycle Fund to focus on early intervention and rehabilitation programs for high-risk youths and recidivist offenders.
- Implementing the state’s biggest ever Police Attraction and Retention Plan.
“We have put forward a number of policies that target repeat offenders with tough new laws, as well as appropriate support to break the cycle of offending,” Mr Batty said.
“We need to stop the criminal justice system from being a revolving door for young offenders.
“If they choose to break bail and reoffend, they’ll face jail – it’s as simple as that.”
Media Contact: Gretel Mead 0449 500 844 | 
