MEDIA RELEASE 14 November 2025
Shadow Attorney-General and Federal Member for Fisher, Andrew Wallace MP, has criticised the Albanese Government for pressuring states and territories to adopt a secretive report that recommends weakening bail laws at a time when violent crime is rising across the country.
According to reports today in The Australian, Attorney-General Michelle Rowland will use Friday’s meeting of Attorneys-General in Brisbane to push for the release and adoption of a report that urges softer bail laws in every jurisdiction. The report calls for rolling back key safeguards, scrapping stand-alone bail offences, introducing presumptions in favour of bail for children, and reversing toughened measures introduced in response to youth crime.
Mr Wallace said the public deserves to see the report in full, because it exposes just how out of touch the Albanese Government has become.
“Labor is pushing a national plan to weaken bail laws at the same time Queensland, Victoria, WA and the NT are strengthening them. It is extraordinary. If the Government believes this report is worth pursuing, they should release it in full today so Australians can judge it for themselves.”
Mr Wallace said the proposals stand in stark contrast to the approach taken by several states that have tightened bail in response to community concerns about violent crime.
“Queensland’s stronger bail laws and its ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time’ model put victims first. They recognise that repeat violent offenders belong off the streets. Labor in Canberra should be backing states who are trying to protect their communities, not leaning on them to water things down.”
Mr Wallace added, “Victims and law-abiding families should never come second to offenders. Yet time and again, Federal Labor sides with softer laws and weaker accountability. This report is just the latest example.”
Mr Wallace said Australians want a justice system that prioritises safety, consequences and deterrence.
“Australians are demanding stronger action on bail laws. Yet the Albanese Government is pushing in the opposite direction. It proves how disconnected Labor is from every day Australians.”
Mr Wallace said the Coalition will continue to call for policies that back victims, protect communities and hold violent offenders to account.
Only a Coalition Government will back our police, strengthen our laws and restore safety and security to the Australian community.
[ENDS]
Media Contact: Brendan West – 0402 556 646 – Brendan.west@aph.gov.au