A combined 68 lawyers, academics and advocacy groups say proposed reforms that would make it more difficult for reoffending NSW teenagers to get bail will only increase crime and devastate Aboriginal and vulnerable communities.
The potential change would apply to teenagers between 14 to 18 who recommit break and enter offences or motor vehicle thefts while on bail for the same offences.
In order to maintain bail, police, judges and magistrates will need to have a high degree of confidence youth offenders will not commit another serious offence, with the new bail test slated for a 12-month trial.
Two open letters sent to NSW Premier Chris Minns, one from 529 individual signatories and another signed by 60 organisations, have called on the government to scrap the legislation, which will soon be debated in parliament.
[Short citation of 8% of the original article]