Melbourne CBD horror prompts Victorian bail law overhaul
Volunteer bail judges will be axed under major changes to Victoria's bail laws following the Bourke Street Mall tragedy, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said.
Mr Andrews announced "on-call" magistrates will be made available for decisions as part of a wide-ranging review of the state's bail system.
The changes were announced following an outcry when it was revealed the man accused of allegedly killing five people in Bourke Street on Friday, Dimitrious "Jimmy" Gargasoulas was granted bail against the wishes of Victoria Police five days before Friday's attack.
"We owe it, all of us, to the memory and the legacy, each of the families, and those victims are owed nothing less than the hard work required and our singular focus to make the change necessary to make Victoria safer," Mr Andrews told reporters on Monday.
He said "no expense will be spared to get this right", and extra magistrates and resources would be engaged.
The Premier said three more magistrates would be made available "within days" but night court would take "a little longer" to be established.
The current system of Victorian bail justices is a volunteer role, similar to a justice of the peace, which is in place for out-of-hours and serious matters.
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Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said a major overhaul of the state's bail system was urgently needed, beyond the Premier's plans.
He proposed three changes: the presumption of remand for those charged with violent crimes, a "one strike and you're out" rule for those who break bail, and a reversal of changes to bail for juvenile offenders introduced last year.
"More people will need to be remanded, yes, but what price do we put on community safety?" he told reporters on Monday.
He said 1000 beds becoming available at the completion of Ravenhall Prison meant increased capacity to cope with more offenders on remand.
Urgent review ordered
Former Director of Public Prosecutions Paul Coghlan will also review the entire bail system.
"On the broader issue of the way our bail system operates it is obviously an area where significant reform needs to be made," Mr Andrews said.
"Nothing will be off the table. Nothing will be off limits."
Mr Coughlan had a deadline of April 3 to provide the government with urgent advice on changes to the bail system.
The Premier said there were 15 people still being treated for injuries at hospital following Friday's carnage, two in a critical condition.
