Tuesday, 27 August 2024

Ministers statements: youth justice system

Anthony CARBINES (Ivanhoe – Minister for Police, Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Racing) (14:04): I rise to update the house on the landmark Youth Justice Bill 2024 that passed the Legislative Council last sitting week, proving of course that only an Allan Labor government can be trusted with the safety of the Victorian community. The bill made it crystal clear that serious repeat offenders face serious consequences for their actions, because community safety is not negotiable.

It is landmark legislation – the first standalone Youth Justice Bill in the country – that provides young people with more access to early intervention to keep them out of the justice system. This side of the house understands that not only do young people need to be treated in different ways, but they also need opportunities to turn their lives around when everything is going wrong. We know and we have made it clear that serious offences such as aggravated burglary, home invasions and armed robbery must be recognised for what they are, which is crimes that cause harm to our community. Following the passage of the bill in the Legislative Council, bail decision makers will need to consider both the risk to community safety and also the risk of serious further offending when assessing if bail is appropriate. And be in no doubt that, if you commit a serious crime on bail, Victoria Police have the powers they need to hold you to account and charge you with separate offences.

The Chief Commissioner of Police has stated that he expects these reforms, this legislation, to see more alleged offenders remanded for the offences that they commit. Only two weeks ago in this place those opposite criticised Victoria Police for supporting these reforms and this legislation. Can we just be very clear that some in this place have an opportunity to back community safety, but some in this place, such as the Leader of the Opposition, would rather lock up 10-year-olds and pander to his party room than stand up and support this bill and support community safety in this place. Shame on you.

The SPEAKER: Order! I ask the minister not to refer to ‘you’. You are reflecting on the Chair. It is the same with the Manager of Opposition Business.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, ministers statements are not an opportunity to attack the opposition, especially from a pack of crime deniers.

The SPEAKER: Order! Manager of Opposition Business! I ask the Minister for Police to come back to his statement without attacking the opposition.

Anthony CARBINES: The Allan Labor government is showing leadership in backing Victoria Police in relation to this legislation, while those opposite in the libel party continue to pander to their backbench instead of showing leadership in the community. Weak!

The SPEAKER: Order! Minister, that is unparliamentary language.