NSW Nationals’ Leader Dugald Saunders says the stabbing of a 41-year-old man at a park in Dubbo on Tuesday is yet another example of how Labor’s weak bail laws are failing our regional communities.
Police have since revealed of the four youths arrested over the incident, one of was on bail – a scenario we are seeing far too often.
“When an alleged offender is back on the streets before their victim is released from hospital, there’s something very wrong with the system and shows the current measures are clearly not working,” Mr Saunders said.
“Our police are doing the best they can but are constantly let down by Labor’s revolving door and something needs to immediately change if we are going to stop these serious repeat youth offenders from carrying out crime sprees across our cities and towns.”
Mr Saunders said the Premier has been pointing to the latest BOCSAR (Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research) statistics as if they will bring comfort in the middle of this crisis, but in reality, while there may be some improvement, our residents and families are scared and are still being held to ransom.
“In Parliament last week, Chris Minns and his government voted against The Nationals’ strong bail reforms that would have made a tangible difference. Those changes would have meant bail would be immediately revoked, and not granted again, for any young offender who breached their bail conditions or committed any other offences.
“But instead of taking a bipartisan approach, Labor showed it would rather play politics with people’s lives than find a sensible way forward.
“No one deserves to be living in a constant state of panic and fear, and we will keep fighting for strong action to make our communities safe again,” Mr Saunders said.
