Published February 2025
Shocking new court data has revealed youth offenders have breached their bail on more than 1300 occasions in the past year, uncovering the full extent of Labor's youth crime crisis.
The data, released by the Courts Administration Authority, shows a significant increase in the failure to comply with bail, from 857 offences in 2021/22 to 1375 in 2022/23 - an increase of 60 per cent.
The youth justice system has been inundated with almost 6000 cases, a 50 per cent increase since 2021, with offenders as young as 10 facing court and including a 14-year-old subject to 131 charges.
Shadow Minister for Community Safety, Police and Correctional Services, Jack Batty, said youth crime is skyrocketing because of the Malinauskas Government's weak approach to law and order and failure to deal with recidivist offenders, with a 60 per cent increase in young offenders breaching bail under Labor.
"It's no coincidence these louts continue to reoffend. When there are no consequences for their actions, it's simply rinse and repeat for these thugs" Mr Batty said.
"Youth gangs are running rampant, and this Labor Government has clearly lost control of the issue. The victims of these crimes are hard-working families and business owners who deserve to feel safe in the community, but they are being failed by Labor's soft on crime approach. The Malinauskas Government and its part-time police minister need to take this matter seriously and soon before there are truly tragic consequences."
"The system is failing. An urgent review is needed to address penalties and breach of bail. Police can't keep arresting the same kids for the same crimes, only to see them released back into the community to reoffend. We need a full-time focus on youth crime, more cops on the beat and a system that breaks the cycle of repeat offending."
Media Contact: Gretel Mead 0449 500 844
