Published November 2025
A new Liberal Government will make communities safer, with tough new laws to put community safety first and gold-standard early intervention and rehabilitation measures to tackle youth crime. If elected, the Liberal Party will: Introduce tough new break bail, face jail – the one strike rule legislation, to ensure serious offenders who break their bail won’t simply be released on bail again and again. The new laws will create a presumption against bail if an applicant is taken into custody in relation to a serious offence if the applicant is already on bail for a serious offence. Establish a $40 million Breaking the Cycle Fund to focus on early intervention and rehabilitation programs for high-risk youths and recidivist offenders. Liberal Leader, Vincent Tarzia, said only the South Australian Liberal Party will restore law and order to our streets and suburbs. “It is shocking that we have seen nearly a 50% increase in matters before the youth court and a 60% increase in breaches of bail since 2021,” Mr Tarzia said. “It is a small cohort committing a large majority of the crime. Our new policies target repeat offenders with tough new laws, as well as appropriate support to break the cycle of offending. “Our policy is a stark contrast to Labor who have allowed youth crime to get out of control. After 4 years of inaction they now plan to introduce weak legislation in the dying days of this Parliament that still allows kids to commit crime time and time again." Shadow Minister for Community Safety, Police and Correctional Services, Jack Batty said criminals were making a mockery of the justice system by constantly breaching bail. “The community is sick and tired of offenders who are continually let out on bail only to reoffend. Bail conditions are not made to be broken. If you break your bail, you belong in jail,” Mr Batty said. “Last year, a 15 year-old was charged with breaching bail 57 times – more than once a week. “Criminals will keep committing crime if they know they can get away with it. It is time for actions to have consequences." Mr Batty said the tough new bail laws will be accompanied with significant investment in gold standard early intervention programs to help break the cycle of offending. “Our $40 million Breaking the Cycle Fund will back proven programs that provide off-ramps for at-risk youths. “For too long, the criminal justice system has simply been a revolving door for young offenders. We will give vulnerable young people every opportunity to avoid a life of crime – before it is too late. “By investing in early intervention and rehabilitation programs we can prevent reoffending, improve the safety of our communities and reduce the strain on our justice system.” Media Contact: Hayley McDonald 0408 100 373 |
