LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Sir – The NT Government will seek to amend the Bail Act to ensure that more repeat domestic violence offenders are kept behind bars and not granted bail.
The Bill aims to protect victims of domestic violence and prevents individuals with a history of violent offending from being released back into the community if they breach a Domestic Violence Order.
Under the proposed legislation, offenders who breach a Domestic Violence Order, and have been found guilty of a Domestic Violence Order contravention offence within two years, will be subject to the presumption against bail.
The proposed changes would amend current legislation by removing the neutral presumption, which neither presumes that a person should or shouldn’t be granted bail.
We are focused on protecting victims and ensuring that offenders are not allowed to simply be released back into the homes of the very people they offended against.
In September, the government launched its $18 million 2014-17 Domestic and Family Violence Reduction Strategy.
The comprehensive victim-focused strategy aims to create an improved and coordinated approach to reduce and prevent domestic violence.
While efforts are made to protect victims, perpetrators must also be held accountable and sent a clear message by the Police, Courts and society that domestic violence is not acceptable.
Police are continuing to target repeat domestic violence offenders, applying a zero-tolerance, pro prosecution approach.
Offences under the Criminal Code of terrorism, sabotage and arson have also been inserted to the Bail Act and will be subject to a presumption against bail.
Matters which automatically attract the mandatory minimum sentencing provisions of the Misuse of Drugs Act will also have a presumption against bail.
The Bill has been subject to industry consultation and will be introduced to Parliament next week.
John Elferink
Attorney-General
Thursday, April 18, 2024
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This is a good move and I doubt any sensible person would have objection to it.
I don’t object but I find it frustrating that the government takes bandaide approaches instead of tackling the issues. Male or female if you are the perpetrator then you are removed from the home not the victim and children. The way the domestic violence issue has not decreased is due to the non verbal attacks on the victims. The perpetrator is given the residence the community is there to support them. The victims are removed with the children to a shelter or friends and family and the message to children. Domestic violence supports the perpitrator. His environment stays the same the victims are penalised with no home most times no vehicle and no money. Children lose their possessions their home their beds their world. This needs to stop.
The victims need to remain in the home and the perpetrator is removed and locked up if need be. This would ensure that the children’s education from this is commit acts of domestic violence and you will be punished. The reason domestic violence has not decreased is due to the lessons learnt by the children. That lesson is the perpetrator is the material winner and the victim is again a loser. This issue needs a clearer defined distinction between right and wrong. And it also requires more research in to the effects on children. If children are a future then our laws need to reflect that