Overview

• Victoria's parliament has passed sweeping bail law reforms following a marathon session, with immediate implementation for most provisions.
• The legislation replaces the principle of remand as a 'last resort' with community safety as the overriding priority for bail decisions.
• Tougher bail tests for serious offences such as aggravated burglary and knife crime are included, though some measures face delays due to resource constraints.
• Legal and human rights groups warn the changes will disproportionately harm marginalized communities, particularly Aboriginal populations, and reverse earlier reforms linked to Veronica Nelson's death in custody.
• The laws respond to a 13.2% rise in Victoria's crime rate, with youth offences at their highest levels since 1993, and have been supported by Victoria Police but criticized by opposition parties as insufficient.