BAIL (ARSON) AMENDMENT BILL

Introduction and First Reading

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (10:35): Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to amend the Bail Act 1985. Read a first time.

Second Reading

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (10:35): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

What this bill does is complement the first bill, in that it is sending a message to arsonists and the community that the parliament is serious about dealing with arson and related offences. This bill reverses the presumption of bail for those people charged with arson offences. Already under the act there is the ability, for certain offences, for the presumption of bail to be reversed.

This bill brings arson offences into that category of offences where the presumption of bail is reversed. The practical effect of it is that if charged with arson, rather than the prosecution having to argue why bail should not be allowed, the accused, through their lawyers, would have to argue why bail should be allowed. So, it reverses the presumption of bail in relation to arson offences.

Again, it is a very simple bill. It is about sending a message to the community and to arsonists that what they do is not going to be tolerated by the parliament. I think we should make it as tough as we can on the arsonists under the procedures we have available to us. Hopefully, when it comes to the vote the government and the house will support it.

Debate adjourned on motion of Mrs Geraghty.