Tough reforms on youth offending

Attorney General Michael Daley (centre) visited Bourke earlier this year and met with Mayor Lachlan Ford and General Manager Leonie Brown. Youth crime reforms have been an ongoing discussion with western region councils. Photo TWH

The NSW government has endorsed the toughening of bail conditions, and changes to laws making it easier for 10-13 year olds to be held criminally responsible in a range of reforms around youth crime laws.

Strong lobbying from four western region mayors and Member for Barwon Roy Butler have put the issue of re-offending and criminal responsibility in the spotlight. The joint approach to the government by Bourke, Brewarrina, Walgett and Coonamble mayors followed a spate of serious crimes in recent months.

Premier Minns will support reforms that will give police and courts clearer tools to intervene earlier and prevent young offenders from “falling through the cracks”. The government is also proposing to strengthen the doli incapax test to make it easier to hold 10-13-year-olds criminally responsible and is pushing for legislative changes that would make it harder for 14-18-year-olds charged with serious offenses while on bail to get bail again. […]

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