Repeat criminal offenders would be refused bail, under a Country Liberal Government.
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Anyone with two or more convictions with the previous two years would face "a presumption against bail" in courts.
The same would apply to those re-arrested while on bail for other offences.
The CLP says it wants to strengthen bail laws to ensure those that habitually offend face the consequences of their actions.
Where bail is granted for serial offenders, electronic monitoring will be required with strict conditions.
Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro today said the Territory's bail legislation would be changed in the first sittings of Parliament following the election.
The proposed changes would:
- Reverse the changes made by the Government removing breach of bail conditions as an offence and remove the presumption in favour of bail for repeat youth offenders.
- Introduce a presumption against bail for both adult and youth serial offenders, defined as those convicted of two or more offences within the previous two years, in order to send a strong message that repeat offending will be treated more seriously.
- Incorporate a presumption against bail for offenders that are subsequently arrested for a separate offence while released on bail.
- Include a provision that, where bail is granted despite the presumption against bail, any grant of bail must be accompanied by a mandatory electronic monitoring order to ensure that the person is monitored 24/7 in order to discourage re-offending and protect the community.
- Implement a system whereby police are provided with real-time alerts where an offender that is being electronically monitored breaches the conditions of their bail, incorporating geofencing technology ensuring that those subject to control orders on movements (e.g. curfew, and no contact orders) are complying with the conditions of their bail.
"Since 2016, house break-ins are up a third in Palmerston and Alice Springs, up by almost a half in Darwin and Katherine and up a shocking 275 per cent in Tennant Creek. This is crime out of control and a CLP Government will take action to ensure our communities are safe," Ms Finocchiaro said.
"All too often offenders are released on bail just hours after they're arrested, only to be out on the street the same day to re-offend. Victims of crime shouldn't have to live in fear that the same person that broke into their home on Friday night will be free on Saturday to return.
"These changes will come in addition to our four point plan to tackle youth crime, which includes, moving Youth Justice from Territory Families back to Corrections, ensuring that if diverted, youth offenders undertake mandatory community service, making sure victims are put first and a community led solution approach to youth crime.
The NT election will be held on August 22 with early polling to open tomorrow in most areas.
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Chris McLennan
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
