Friday 9 October 2026 SourcesAbout🌓
🇦🇺 AU ▾
BREAKING
Australian News

Tough kids bail laws remain with 'adult time' push on

PerthNow ·
Tough kids bail laws remain with 'adult time' push on

A state government will extend strict youth bail laws, as political opponents pitch a controversial "adult crime, adult time" crack-down on young offenders.

The NSW government on Tuesday announced it will table legislation to extend temporary bail limitations for two more years and introduce a pilot program for at-risk regional children.

The limitation raises the threshold car theft and break-and-enter repeat offenders must meet to receive bail.

Judges must have a higher degree of confidence the young person will not reoffend before they can permit their release.

A statutory review of the laws first two years found they stabilised regional crime rates.

The bail laws were due to expire on October 1 but the legislation would extend them to April 2028.

Attorney-General Michael Daley said the state had more to do in addressing youth crime, but the once-controversial laws were working.

"This is the only way at the moment we can keep the community and the young people safe, by making sure they don't get bailed," he said.

"What I don't want to see is some young person on bail walking straight out of court or out of the police station, stealing a car, wrapping themselves around a tree."

On Sunday, the state coalition pledged it would table so-called adult crime, adult time laws within their first 100 days if elected.

"(That) means doing everything we can to support young people and put them on the right track. But if you commit a serious adult crime, there should be serious adult consequences," she said.

The list of serious children's offences would be expanded to additional, as-yet unspecified crimes, the party vowed.

Tough-on-crime policy platforms have gained popularity in neighbouring states.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli made the approach a core pledge at the state's last election, where his party swept to power.

Read the full article on PerthNow ›

5News aggregated this summary from the outlet’s public feed. The full article, with all the context, is on www.perthnow.com.au — the content belongs to PerthNow.

More from PerthNow

See all ›

More in Australian News

See all ›