Tuesday, 4 February 2025

 Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:10): My question is to the Premier. Just last week on Nova FM the Premier bragged about the Labor government’s bail laws – laws which failed to protect 19-year-old Isla Bell, who was violently murdered involving a person on bail. If murder did not change the Premier’s mind on bail laws, what did?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:10): In answering this question, I refer the Leader of the Opposition to the answer I gave to the previous question. Crime hurts people and it hurts families, and we have made changes already. We introduced those changes to the Parliament last year that were opposed by those opposite, and those changes are being rolled out right now, but from listening to communities and from understanding that one victim of crime is one too many, it is clear that we need to do more, and we will do more, which is why I have asked the Attorney and the police minister to come back with that advice on the further work we can do to support community safety in this state, alongside the significant additional investment we are providing to Victoria Police to provide them with the tools, the powers and the resources that they need. I thank them for their work, and we will continue to support them. I thank the Attorney and the police minister in advance for the work that they are doing in terms of understanding that there is more to do and we will do it.

 Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:12): The supplementary question is: is the latest bail review about protecting Victorians or just the Premier’s job?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Frankston will come to order. The Leader of the House will come to order. The Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Members will be removed from the chamber without warning.

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:12): I say to the Leader of the Opposition: where were you last year when you were opposing our stronger framework for youth justice in this state? I say to you, through you, Speaker –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! I remind members to address their contributions through the Chair.

Brad Battin: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier has to be factual. The Liberals and Nationals were trying to introduce a criminal justice billfor bail to ensure bail is tougher here in our state under a government we lead.

The SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, there is no point of order. The Chair cannot determine whether any minister or premier is being factual.

Jacinta ALLAN: As I have said already today, we are listening to the community. We have already made changes, which were opposed by those opposite. Those changes are being implemented right now. But it is clear that we need to do more, and that is what we will do.