Youth Crime Bail Reform Package to keep community safe

A re-elected WA Labor Cook Government will crack down on violent young offenders, helping prevent crime and keeping the community safe through a $14.5 million Youth Crime Bail Reform Package.
  • $14.5 million package to crack down on violent young offenders
  • Plan will deliver fast-tracked sentencing and same-day review of decisions to grant bail
  • Includes a new satellite Children’s Court in the old Armadale Court
  • Package highlights WA Labor’s commitment to keeping communities safe, addressing youth crime and preventing the cycle of reoffending to help rehabilitate young criminals

A re-elected WA Labor Cook Government will crack down on violent young offenders, helping prevent crime and keeping the community safe through a $14.5 million Youth Crime Bail Reform Package.

Under WA Labor, new laws will be delivered to ensure:

  • all matters before the Children’s Court will be fast tracked;
  • young repeat violent criminals have their trials held within 28 days;
  • decisions to grant violent young offenders bail can be reviewed immediately;
  • violent young offenders subject to curfew will be monitored using the latest technology; and
  • responsible adults will be penalised for failing to report breaches of bail curfew conditions.

Under the plan, the Criminal Procedure Act 2004 will be amended to create the new 28-day expedited trial process for repeat violent young criminals, reducing time on bail.

To facilitate the reform, a new satellite Children’s Court will be commissioned in the old Armadale Court, with an additional Magistrate appointed to expedite matters and meet the 28-day timeframe. This will have the added benefit of faster times to trial for all juvenile offenders by creating efficiencies in the system, therefore protecting the community.

The satellite court will also have a dedicated therapeutic court sitting five days a week, which will support the diversion of offenders who actively engage in behaviour change programs, helping break the cycle of reoffending and rehabilitate young offenders.

The Bail Act 1982 will also be amended to allow the President or a Judge of the Children’s Court to review a Magistrate’s decision to grant bail to a repeat violent offender on the same day, delivering greater accountability in bail decisions and protecting the community.

The package builds on WA Labor’s commitment to address youth crime and keep the community safe, which already includes initiatives such as the Target 120 Program and Kimberley Juvenile Justice Strategy.

Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:

“Western Australians have every right to feel safe in their home and their community."

“These common-sense measures will provide quicker outcomes for victims and their families, ensure the decisions of Magistrates are subject to increased oversight if they grant bail to a violent offender and improve accountability of parents or caregivers responsible for young offenders."

“Cracking down on violent youth crime and keeping our community safe will always be a key priority under a re-elected WA Labor Government.”

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