I'm pleased to announce that my Bail Amendment Bill 2023 has passed the Legislative Assembly with tri-partisan support!
I introduced this Bill back in June as a response to an inquiry that looked into how the ACT could change its laws to help address recidivist dangerous driving. The recommendations were presented earlier this year, following what was the worst year in a decade for deaths on ACT roads in 2022. After seeing the years of tireless community campaigns and advocacy from families who've lost loved ones to dangerous driving, I hope this change will address what has become such a recurring issue in our justice system.
As of the passage of the amended Bill in the Assembly the following crimes will no longer automictically be presumed bail:
- Driving a vehicle at police
- Recidivous furious, reckless or dangerous driving
I hope that this Bill will go some way to recognising the severity of these dangerous driving crimes and will lead to significant consideration of public safety in the determination of bail for those who commit these offences. No one has a right to drive in a way that puts innocent people's lives at risk.
If you're interested in reading more on my Bill, I'll link it and some of the media around it below:
