Published October 2025
The Malinauskas Labor Government’s landmark response to the youth crime crisis is the introduction of weak legislation that will allow youth criminals to commit crime time and time again before there is any consequence.
After four years of inaction, the Government has today announced they will be introducing legislation in the dying days of this Parliament which is poorly targeted and does not go nearly far enough.
The legislation reverses the presumption of bail but only applies to “recidivist youth offenders”, which means a youth would have to commit and be convicted of at least four serious offences – such as murder, assault or home invasions – before the new law would even apply.
Shadow Minister for Community Safety, Police and Correctional Services, Jack Batty said Labor need to stop being so soft on crime.
“I am astounded that this is the best the Government could come up with at a time when youth crime is spiralling out of control,” Mr Batty said.
“If this is what cracking down on youth crime looks like, then no wonder we are in the midst of this crisis.
“Why does the Government want to keep allowing kids to commit crime time and time again before intervening?
“This legislation would allow a lout to assault a bottle shop worker not once, not twice, not three times but four times before it did anything.
“This is extremely poorly targeted. It often takes years to secure convictions for these crimes. What we need is tough bail laws in the meantime to help with the more immediate problem.
“Bail conditions are not made to be broken. Actions must have consequences.”
Breaches of bail have increased by 60% since 2021 and there has been over a 50% increase in matters before the youth justice system since 2021.
The Liberal Party have been calling on the Government to fast track its review into breach of bail and recently announced a new policy to get more cops on the beat.
Media Contact: Hayley McDonald 0408 100 373
