[Greens-Media] NSW Attorney General tapping on a toy law and order drum

[David Shoebridge]

MEDIA RELEASE
19 OCTOBER 2010
 
NSW Greens MP and Justice spokesperson David Shoebridge has criticised the NSW Attorney General John Hatzsistergos for failing to understand the need to review the Bail Act.
 
"The excessive response from the Attorney General shows that Mr Hatzistergos is still beating his fists on the law and order drum," Mr Shoebridge said. 
 
"The Coaltion has proposed moderate changes to relax harsh state bail laws. 
 
"Changes in 2007 limited most accused to only one bail application. Since then the numbers in remand, particularly of young people, has spiked.  
 
"Around 80 per cent of young people gaoled on remand will end up receiving no custodial sentence. This is a tragedy of our justice system. 
 
"A comprehensive state government report produced earlier this year called for s22A to no longer apply to juveniles in this State.  At a minimum this should be supported by all parties.
 
"The current laws not only see young people wrongly stuck in gaol, they are also costing taxpayers more than $500 a day while they are there.  
 
"At present if an accused makes an early or under prepared bail application which is lost then they lose the right to make any further application.  
 
"In practice these applications are normally heard in a matter of minutes.  Allowing accused people a second chance at bail will cause minimal court delay or court costs. 
 
"Placing people in custody without trial should be the exception, not the rule. It should be limited to only clear cases where the public interest requires demands.
 
"The Greens will be making a submission as part of the Bail Act review process to redress some of the gross imbalances in the way the system currently works," Mr Shoebridge said.
 
Media Contact: Mark Riboldi 9230 3030 - 0433 753 376
 
 
David Shoebridge
Greens MLC
NSW Parliament
PH: (02) 9230 3030
FX: (02) 9230 2159
www.davidshoebridge.org.au