Changing the bail laws in Victoria again will not have any effect on reducing crime but will reduce access to justice for anyone charged by police whether or not they are convicted, says the Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA).
"Keeping more people in prison on remand will not improve community safety and is a slap in the face to the people who worked so hard to positively reform bail laws after the tragic death of Veronica Nelson," said Greg Barns SC, spokesperson for the Australian Lawyers Alliance.
"We know that tightening bail laws will more deeply entrench the horrific levels of disadvantage amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are disproportionately affected by harsh bail laws.
"More people on remand also leads to more pressure in custodial settings, on police and the court system.
The Australian Lawyers Alliance noted that in recent years Victoria's bail laws have been revised several times.
"Reviewing and changing the bail laws again so soon after previous reforms have been made means previous changes have not yet had time to have any impact," said Greg Barns SC.
"The Victorian government should instead be looking hard at what is causing offending and investing more in support programs to minimise re-offending.
"This seems to be case of putting politics ahead of sensible and considered law reform. "
