Tuesday, 27 May 2025

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Bail laws

Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:02): My question is to the Premier. The Premier consistently talks about Victoria having the toughest bail laws in the country, yet the revolving door in the justice system continues. Premier, how many offenders at the Northland shopping centre were on bail?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Member for Mordialloc, you can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Mordialloc withdrew from chamber.

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:03): In thanking the Leader of the Opposition for his question, can I also thank the men and women of Victoria Police and all first responders who attended very, very quickly to what was undoubtedly for the families, the shoppers and the retail workers at Northland shopping centre on Sunday an incredibly distressing and traumatic incident to have to witness. I do hope that we can all collectively thank and acknowledge the work that is done by Victoria Police and show some respect for the work of Victoria Police in thanking them. Also I do want to take this opportunity in answering the question to acknowledge that it was an unacceptable incident that would have caused a lot of trauma for those who witnessed it.

In terms of the Leader of the Opposition’s question, I am aware of at least one of the alleged offenders, but I will seek some further advice from Victoria Police, because what I will not do is compromise the investigation from Victoria Police. I say this in the context that when I was briefed yesterday morning by the acting chief commissioner he advised me that it was continuing to be an active investigation. I would have thought someone who has spent a lot of his time in Victoria Police would know that having an active investigation means that Victoria Police are pursuing their investigation, and that should never be compromised by the words of politicians in any place, including this place.

I will also say this: we brought to this Parliament tough new bail laws that those opposite opposed. These tough new bail laws are in place and put community safety first. But I do want to be very clear ‍–

Brad Battin: On a point of order, Speaker, in relation to relevance, the question was very specific about how many were on bail due to the weakened bail laws of this government that were changed last year that allow these offenders to continue to be on the streets.

Ben Carroll: On the point of order, Speaker, on page 155 of Rulings from the Chair Lindell is very specific that the preamble forms part of the question. The opposition leader went to bail laws, and then he asked about Northland specifically and he asked about a number. The Premier gave him a number and is also seeking further advice and then went to bail laws. It was a very thorough answer, and I ask you to rule the opposition leader’s point of order out of order.

The SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition and Deputy Premier, I ask you to make your points of order succinctly. The Premier was being relevant to the question.

Jacinta ALLAN: I was saying in reference to the tough new bail laws that have been passed through this Parliament that they have placed community safety first. I do want to be very clear that the safety of all Victorians depends on all aspects of our justice system placing community safety first, which is why we will continue to back Victoria Police, resource them, support them and give them tough new powers.

Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:07): Premier, in the 48 hours since the violent attack at Northland, putting families, retail staff and security at risk, how many of the violent offenders have been granted bail, putting them back on the street?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:07): Again I will not be drawn by the Leader of the Opposition into compromising an active police investigation. Secondly, Victoria Police have already reported on the work that they have done to date. They reported on this publicly yesterday and reported that two of the offenders were remanded to appear before the courts. As I have said, there is an active investigation, and I know those on this side of the house are focused on supporting the work of Victoria Police, not compromising the work of Victoria Police. This line of questioning from the Leader of the Opposition yet again exposes that they are all about the politics and not about community safety.

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is debating the question. It was very narrow: how many violent offenders were granted bail from that very, very tragic incident on the weekend?

The SPEAKER: The Manager of Opposition Business knows that a point of order is not an opportunity to repeat the question. The Premier has concluded her answer.