Petition Inquiry into anti-recidivism initiatives and youth justice intervention programs

The petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council to the persistent and escalating failure of the Government’s existing legislation to protect the community from criminal activity. As a direct consequence of these failures, the judiciary, including the courts and Victoria Police, has been placed at a significant disadvantage in its ability to uphold public safety. Judges are forced to operate within laws and programs that do not meet community expectations or deliver intended outcomes, and police efforts are continually undermined when offenders face little or no consequence. These shortcomings are evidenced by record levels of crime in Victoria and repeated instances of serious harm, including theft, assault, abductions and preventable deaths.

Despite attempted reforms, the state’s bail laws, anti-recidivism initiatives and youth justice intervention programs continue to underperform. These frameworks are failing in practice, leaving offenders to cycle repeatedly through the system while protections for the public remain ineffective. Without a formal evaluation and prompt rectification, public safety and confidence in the justice system will remain severely compromised. Without immediate intervention and reform, further harm will inevitably occur, and community safety must be prioritised.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council refer to the Legal and Social Issues Committee an inquiry to urgently review all Victorian anti-recidivism initiatives and youth justice intervention programs which should identify the points at which the frameworks are failing, determine why intended outcomes are not being delivered, and recommend immediate corrective measures.