Premature review of bail laws alarms First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria

Feb 5, 2025

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan’s announcement today that there will be a review into the state’s bail laws – despite the most recent reforms having only come into effect at the end of 2024 – has sparked concerns amongst Aboriginal community leaders and legal experts.

First Peoples’ Assembly Co-chair, Gunditjmara man, Rueben Berg said:

“This review is premature. The laws were only just passed by Parliament. It’s hard not to question the underlying political motivations driving this decision.

“We’ve seen the damage knee-jerk reactions to bail reform can have to our community. We cannot forget that it was a death of Veronica Nelson, an Aboriginal woman in custody, that prompted the recent reforms in the first place.

“Bail reform was a key focus of recommendations from the Yoorrook Justice Commission who heard extensive evidence about the disproportionate impact the laws are having on First Peoples in Victoria. Any attempt to walk back from those latest reforms would fly in the face of this testimony.”