The First Peoples’ Assembly has joined Aboriginal leaders and legal experts in condemning the Victorian Government’s rushed bail reforms, warning they will repeat the mistakes of the past.
These changes come just months after earlier amendments to bail laws, introduced following the Coronial Inquest into the death of Veronica Nelson, who died in custody after being denied bail for minor charges.
The Assembly is deeply concerned about how these new laws will worsen the systemic issues identified by the Yoorrook Justice Commission which highlighted the over-criminalisation of First Nations Victorians, the high rates of unsentenced incarceration, and the tragic deaths of Aboriginal people in custody.
Real reform and meaningful investment in self-determined solutions is urgently needed. The criminal legal system requires a holistic approach that balances public safety with long-term solutions. This means addressing the root causes of crime and recognising the disproportionate harm these laws inflict on First Peoples. Tougher bail laws will only exacerbate the problem.
First Peoples’ Assembly Co-chair, Gunditjmara man, Rueben Berg said:
“Rushing bail reforms risks repeating past mistakes—mistakes highlighted by a Coronial Inquest and, most tragically, the mistakes that led to Veronica Nelson’s death in custody.”
“First Peoples in Victoria share the broader community’s concerns about violent crime—we are impacted by it too. But the evidence is clear: rushed, knee-jerk reforms will disproportionately harm Aboriginal people, lumping petty offences together with serious crimes under the same laws.”
“We urge the Government to avoid politically driven reactions to complex issues. There needs to be adequate investment in diversion and alternative pathways. Safe and strong communities are built by addressing the root causes of crime, not by bypassing consultation with Aboriginal Community experts. We need solutions developed with us, not imposed on us.”
