Should Victoria keep its 2025 laws making bail harder to get, including for children, after a serious charge or a new offence while on bail?
Stricter bail laws (2025)
Both houses · 8 votes
Background
Bail means release from custody while waiting for a court case. Two 2025 laws tightened it: community safety became the overriding consideration, the rule that remanding a child (keeping them in custody before trial) is a last resort was removed, offences for committing a crime on bail and (for adults) breaching bail conditions returned, and stricter tests apply to people charged with serious offences, or most other indictable (more serious) offences, while already on bail. This reversed parts of 2023 changes made after the inquest into Veronica Nelson's death in custody. Labor, the Coalition and the Greens all voted for the 2023 law in the Council, but the Coalition opposed repealing the on-bail offences: its 2024 bill to keep one of them was defeated 12–21 in the Council, and in February 2025 the Assembly refused leave for its bill restoring both.
What each side said
Summarised from the debate in Parliament, with sources below.
For “agree”
Supporters said a small group of repeat offenders drives much crime and the laws "send an unambiguous message: bail must be respected" (then Premier Jacinta Allan, ALP, second reading, 18 Mar 2025). The Coalition voted for both bills but said "they are not even as tough as Victoria had a year ago" (Michael O'Brien, Liberal) and moved amendments to go further, including making breach of bail conditions an offence for children; the Libertarian, Shooters, One Nation and Moira Deeming (now Family First) also voted for them.
For “disagree”
Opponents said the 2023 changes followed a death in custody and reversing them will put more First Nations people, women and children on remand without improving safety: "Making it easier to put children in prison does not improve community safety" (Katherine Copsey, Greens, Council). Legalise Cannabis called the first bill "devoid of any evidence base" and said removing remand as a last resort for children goes against the presumption of innocence (Rachel Payne, 20 Mar 2025); Animal Justice said "The reality is that bail saves lives" (Georgie Purcell).
How the parties voted
Across the linked votes below. Second and third readings count five times as much as other votes. Parties are in alphabetical order. How this is worked out
| Party | Record | Votes with a party position |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Justice | Consistently against | 5 of 5 |
| Greens | Consistently against | 8 of 8 |
| Labor | Consistently for | 8 of 8 |
| Legalise Cannabis | Consistently against | 5 of 5 |
| Liberal | Consistently for | 8 of 8 |
| Libertarian | Consistently for | 5 of 5 |
| Nationals | Consistently for | 8 of 8 |
| One Nation | Consistently for | 5 of 5 |
| Shooters, Fishers and Farmers | Consistently for | 5 of 5 |
The votes behind this question
Each vote (division) recorded in Parliament that this question is based on, in date order.
18 March 2025 · Legislative Assembly
Bail Amendment (Tough Bail) Bill 2025
- Question put
- Question — That the words proposed to be omitted stand part of the question — put.
- Result
- Question agreed to. Ayes 77, Noes 4.
- Matches “agree”
- An Aye vote
- Weight
- Normal
- Why it's linked
- Assembly reasoned amendment moved by Gabrielle de Vietri; the question was whether to keep the words "be now read a second time". Aye = reject the amendment (let the bill proceed); agree = Aye.
| Party | Aye | No | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greens | 0 | 3 | No |
| Labor | 50 | 0 | Aye |
| Liberal | 19 | 0 | Aye |
| Nationals | 8 | 0 | Aye |
Independents, each counted on their own: Will Fowles (No)
Every name (Ayes 77, Noes 4) in the vote of 18 March 2025
Ayes (77)
Juliana Addison, Jacinta Allan, Brad Battin, Jade Benham, Roma Britnell, Colin Brooks, Josh Bull, Tim Bull, Martin Cameron, Anthony Carbines, Ben Carroll, Anthony Cianflone, Annabelle Cleeland, Sarah Connolly, Chris Couzens, Chris Crewther, Jordan Crugnale, Lily D'Ambrosio, Daniela De Martino, Steve Dimopoulos, Paul Edbrooke, Wayne Farnham, Eden Foster, Matt Fregon, Ella George, Luba Grigorovitch, Sam Groth, Matthew Guy, Bronwyn Halfpenny, Katie Hall, Paul Hamer, Martha Haylett, Mathew Hilakari, David Hodgett, Melissa Horne, Emma Kealy, Sonya Kilkenny, Nathan Lambert, John Lister, Gary Maas, Alison Marchant, Kathleen Matthews-Ward, Steve McGhie, Cindy McLeish, Paul Mercurio, John Mullahy, James Newbury, Danny O'Brien, Michael O'Brien, Kim O'Keeffe, Danny Pearson, John Pesutto, Pauline Richards, Tim Richardson, Richard Riordan, Brad Rowswell, Michaela Settle, David Southwick, Ros Spence, Nick Staikos, Natalie Suleyman, Meng Heang Tak, Jackson Taylor, Nina Taylor, Kat Theophanous, Mary-Anne Thomas, Bill Tilley, Bridget Vallence, Peter Walsh, Iwan Walters, Vicki Ward, Kim Wells, Rachel Westaway, Dylan Wight, Gabrielle Williams, Belinda Wilson, Jess Wilson
Noes (4)
Will Fowles, Tim Read, Ellen Sandell, Gabrielle de Vietri
Official record: Votes and Proceedings Nos 115 to 117 (LA-60-115-02)
18 March 2025 · Legislative Assembly
Bail Amendment (Tough Bail) Bill 2025
- Question put
- Question — That this Bill be now read a second time and a third time — put.
- Result
- Question agreed to. Ayes 78, Noes 3.
- Matches “agree”
- An Aye vote
- Weight
- Strong: a second or third reading, counted five times
- Why it's linked
- Second and third reading (Assembly). Aye = support the bill; agree = Aye.
| Party | Aye | No | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greens | 0 | 3 | No |
| Labor | 50 | 0 | Aye |
| Liberal | 19 | 0 | Aye |
| Nationals | 8 | 0 | Aye |
Independents, each counted on their own: Will Fowles (Aye)
Every name (Ayes 78, Noes 3) in the vote of 18 March 2025
Ayes (78)
Juliana Addison, Jacinta Allan, Brad Battin, Jade Benham, Roma Britnell, Colin Brooks, Josh Bull, Tim Bull, Martin Cameron, Anthony Carbines, Ben Carroll, Anthony Cianflone, Annabelle Cleeland, Sarah Connolly, Chris Couzens, Chris Crewther, Jordan Crugnale, Lily D'Ambrosio, Daniela De Martino, Steve Dimopoulos, Paul Edbrooke, Wayne Farnham, Eden Foster, Will Fowles, Matt Fregon, Ella George, Luba Grigorovitch, Sam Groth, Matthew Guy, Bronwyn Halfpenny, Katie Hall, Paul Hamer, Martha Haylett, Mathew Hilakari, David Hodgett, Melissa Horne, Emma Kealy, Sonya Kilkenny, Nathan Lambert, John Lister, Gary Maas, Alison Marchant, Kathleen Matthews-Ward, Steve McGhie, Cindy McLeish, Paul Mercurio, John Mullahy, James Newbury, Danny O'Brien, Michael O'Brien, Kim O'Keeffe, Danny Pearson, John Pesutto, Pauline Richards, Tim Richardson, Richard Riordan, Brad Rowswell, Michaela Settle, David Southwick, Ros Spence, Nick Staikos, Natalie Suleyman, Meng Heang Tak, Jackson Taylor, Nina Taylor, Kat Theophanous, Mary-Anne Thomas, Bill Tilley, Bridget Vallence, Peter Walsh, Iwan Walters, Vicki Ward, Kim Wells, Rachel Westaway, Dylan Wight, Gabrielle Williams, Belinda Wilson, Jess Wilson
Noes (3)
Tim Read, Ellen Sandell, Gabrielle de Vietri
Official record: Votes and Proceedings Nos 115 to 117 (LA-60-115-03)
20 March 2025 · Legislative Council
Bail Amendment (Tough Bail) Bill 2025
- Question put
- Question — That the reasoned amendment moved by Katherine Copsey be agreed to — put.
- Result
- Question negatived. Ayes 7, Noes 30.
- Matches “agree”
- A No vote
- Weight
- Normal
- Why it's linked
- Council reasoned amendment moved by Katherine Copsey to stop the bill proceeding. Aye = support the amendment (oppose the bill now); agree = No.
| Party | Aye | No | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Justice | 1 | 0 | Aye |
| Greens | 4 | 0 | Aye |
| Labor | 0 | 15 | No |
| Legalise Cannabis | 2 | 0 | Aye |
| Liberal | 0 | 10 | No |
| Libertarian | 0 | 1 | No |
| Nationals | 0 | 2 | No |
| One Nation | 0 | 1 | No |
| Shooters, Fishers and Farmers | 0 | 1 | No |
Every name (Ayes 7, Noes 30) in the vote of 20 March 2025
Ayes (7)
Katherine Copsey, David Ettershank, Anasina Gray-Barberio, Sarah Mansfield, Rachel Payne, Aiv Puglielli, Georgie Purcell
Noes (30)
Ryan Batchelor, Melina Bath, John Berger, Lizzie Blandthorn, Jeff Bourman, Gaelle Broad, Georgie Crozier, David Davis, Moira Deeming, Enver Erdogan, Jacinta Ermacora, Michael Galea, Renee Heath, Ann-Marie Hermans, Shaun Leane, David Limbrick, Wendy Lovell, Bev McArthur, Nick McGowan, Tom McIntosh, Evan Mulholland, Harriet Shing, Ingrid Stitt, Jaclyn Symes, Lee Tarlamis, Sonja Terpstra, Gayle Tierney, Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell, Sheena Watt, Richard Welch
Official record: Minutes of the Proceedings Nos. 107, 108 and 109 (LC-60-109-01)
20 March 2025 · Legislative Council
Bail Amendment (Tough Bail) Bill 2025
- Question put
- Question — That the Bill be now read a second time — put.
- Result
- Question agreed to. Ayes 30, Noes 7.
- Matches “agree”
- An Aye vote
- Weight
- Strong: a second or third reading, counted five times
- Why it's linked
- Second reading (Council). Aye = support the bill; agree = Aye.
| Party | Aye | No | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Justice | 0 | 1 | No |
| Greens | 0 | 4 | No |
| Labor | 15 | 0 | Aye |
| Legalise Cannabis | 0 | 2 | No |
| Liberal | 10 | 0 | Aye |
| Libertarian | 1 | 0 | Aye |
| Nationals | 2 | 0 | Aye |
| One Nation | 1 | 0 | Aye |
| Shooters, Fishers and Farmers | 1 | 0 | Aye |
Every name (Ayes 30, Noes 7) in the vote of 20 March 2025
Ayes (30)
Ryan Batchelor, Melina Bath, John Berger, Lizzie Blandthorn, Jeff Bourman, Gaelle Broad, Georgie Crozier, David Davis, Moira Deeming, Enver Erdogan, Jacinta Ermacora, Michael Galea, Renee Heath, Ann-Marie Hermans, Shaun Leane, David Limbrick, Wendy Lovell, Bev McArthur, Nick McGowan, Tom McIntosh, Evan Mulholland, Harriet Shing, Ingrid Stitt, Jaclyn Symes, Lee Tarlamis, Sonja Terpstra, Gayle Tierney, Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell, Sheena Watt, Richard Welch
Noes (7)
Katherine Copsey, David Ettershank, Anasina Gray-Barberio, Sarah Mansfield, Rachel Payne, Aiv Puglielli, Georgie Purcell
Official record: Minutes of the Proceedings Nos. 107, 108 and 109 (LC-60-109-02)
20 March 2025 · Legislative Council
Bail Amendment (Tough Bail) Bill 2025
- Question put
- Enver Erdogan moved, That the Bill be now read a third time and do pass.
- Result
- Question agreed to. Ayes 30, Noes 7.
- Matches “agree”
- An Aye vote
- Weight
- Strong: a second or third reading, counted five times
- Why it's linked
- Third reading (Council). Aye = support the bill; agree = Aye.
| Party | Aye | No | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Justice | 0 | 1 | No |
| Greens | 0 | 4 | No |
| Labor | 15 | 0 | Aye |
| Legalise Cannabis | 0 | 2 | No |
| Liberal | 10 | 0 | Aye |
| Libertarian | 1 | 0 | Aye |
| Nationals | 2 | 0 | Aye |
| One Nation | 1 | 0 | Aye |
| Shooters, Fishers and Farmers | 1 | 0 | Aye |
Every name (Ayes 30, Noes 7) in the vote of 20 March 2025
Ayes (30)
Ryan Batchelor, Melina Bath, John Berger, Lizzie Blandthorn, Jeff Bourman, Gaelle Broad, Georgie Crozier, David Davis, Moira Deeming, Enver Erdogan, Jacinta Ermacora, Michael Galea, Renee Heath, Ann-Marie Hermans, Shaun Leane, David Limbrick, Wendy Lovell, Bev McArthur, Nick McGowan, Tom McIntosh, Evan Mulholland, Harriet Shing, Ingrid Stitt, Jaclyn Symes, Lee Tarlamis, Sonja Terpstra, Gayle Tierney, Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell, Sheena Watt, Richard Welch
Noes (7)
Katherine Copsey, David Ettershank, Anasina Gray-Barberio, Sarah Mansfield, Rachel Payne, Aiv Puglielli, Georgie Purcell
Official record: Minutes of the Proceedings Nos. 107, 108 and 109 (LC-60-109-03)
14 August 2025 · Legislative Assembly
Bail Further Amendment Bill 2025
- Question put
- Question — That this Bill be now read a second time and a third time — put.
- Result
- Question agreed to. Ayes 73, Noes 3.
- Matches “agree”
- An Aye vote
- Weight
- Strong: a second or third reading, counted five times
- Why it's linked
- Second and third reading (Assembly). Aye = support the bill; agree = Aye.
| Party | Aye | No | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greens | 0 | 3 | No |
| Labor | 48 | 0 | Aye |
| Liberal | 17 | 0 | Aye |
| Nationals | 7 | 0 | Aye |
Independents, each counted on their own: Will Fowles (Aye)
Every name (Ayes 73, Noes 3) in the vote of 14 August 2025
Ayes (73)
Brad Battin, Jade Benham, Colin Brooks, Josh Bull, Tim Bull, Martin Cameron, Anthony Carbines, Ben Carroll, Anthony Cianflone, Annabelle Cleeland, Sarah Connolly, Chris Couzens, Chris Crewther, Jordan Crugnale, Daniela De Martino, Steve Dimopoulos, Paul Edbrooke, Wayne Farnham, Eden Foster, Will Fowles, Matt Fregon, Ella George, Luba Grigorovitch, Sam Groth, Matthew Guy, Bronwyn Halfpenny, Katie Hall, Paul Hamer, Martha Haylett, Mathew Hilakari, David Hodgett, Melissa Horne, Natalie Hutchins, Lauren Kathage, Nathan Lambert, John Lister, Gary Maas, Alison Marchant, Kathleen Matthews-Ward, Tim McCurdy, Steve McGhie, Cindy McLeish, Paul Mercurio, John Mullahy, James Newbury, Danny O'Brien, Michael O'Brien, Danny Pearson, John Pesutto, Pauline Richards, Tim Richardson, Brad Rowswell, Michaela Settle, David Southwick, Ros Spence, Nick Staikos, Natalie Suleyman, Meng Heang Tak, Jackson Taylor, Nina Taylor, Kat Theophanous, Mary-Anne Thomas, Bridget Vallence, Emma Vulin, Peter Walsh, Vicki Ward, Kim Wells, Nicole Werner, Rachel Westaway, Dylan Wight, Gabrielle Williams, Belinda Wilson, Jess Wilson
Noes (3)
Tim Read, Ellen Sandell, Gabrielle de Vietri
Official record: Votes and Proceedings Nos 135 to 137 (LA-60-137-03)
26 August 2025 · Legislative Council
Bail Further Amendment Bill 2025
- Question put
- Question — That the reasoned amendment moved by Katherine Copsey be agreed to — put.
- Result
- Question negatived. Ayes 7, Noes 28.
- Matches “agree”
- A No vote
- Weight
- Normal
- Why it's linked
- Council reasoned amendment moved by Katherine Copsey to stop the bill proceeding. Aye = support the amendment (oppose the bill now); agree = No.
| Party | Aye | No | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Justice | 1 | 0 | Aye |
| Greens | 4 | 0 | Aye |
| Labor | 0 | 13 | No |
| Legalise Cannabis | 2 | 0 | Aye |
| Liberal | 0 | 10 | No |
| Libertarian | 0 | 1 | No |
| Nationals | 0 | 2 | No |
| One Nation | 0 | 1 | No |
| Shooters, Fishers and Farmers | 0 | 1 | No |
Every name (Ayes 7, Noes 28) in the vote of 26 August 2025
Ayes (7)
Katherine Copsey, David Ettershank, Anasina Gray-Barberio, Sarah Mansfield, Rachel Payne, Aiv Puglielli, Georgie Purcell
Noes (28)
Ryan Batchelor, Melina Bath, John Berger, Lizzie Blandthorn, Jeff Bourman, Gaelle Broad, Georgie Crozier, David Davis, Moira Deeming, Enver Erdogan, Jacinta Ermacora, Michael Galea, Renee Heath, Ann-Marie Hermans, Shaun Leane, David Limbrick, Wendy Lovell, Trung Luu, Bev McArthur, Joe McCracken, Nick McGowan, Tom McIntosh, Ingrid Stitt, Jaclyn Symes, Lee Tarlamis, Sonja Terpstra, Gayle Tierney, Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell
Official record: Minutes of the Proceedings Nos. 128, 129 and 130 (LC-60-128-01)
26 August 2025 · Legislative Council
Bail Further Amendment Bill 2025
- Question put
- Enver Erdogan moved, That the Bill be now read a third time and do pass.
- Result
- Question agreed to. Ayes 28, Noes 6.
- Matches “agree”
- An Aye vote
- Weight
- Strong: a second or third reading, counted five times
- Why it's linked
- Third reading (Council). Aye = support the bill; agree = Aye.
| Party | Aye | No | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Justice | 0 | 1 | No |
| Greens | 0 | 4 | No |
| Labor | 13 | 0 | Aye |
| Legalise Cannabis | 0 | 1 | No |
| Liberal | 10 | 0 | Aye |
| Libertarian | 1 | 0 | Aye |
| Nationals | 2 | 0 | Aye |
| One Nation | 1 | 0 | Aye |
| Shooters, Fishers and Farmers | 1 | 0 | Aye |
Every name (Ayes 28, Noes 6) in the vote of 26 August 2025
Ayes (28)
Ryan Batchelor, Melina Bath, John Berger, Lizzie Blandthorn, Jeff Bourman, Gaelle Broad, Georgie Crozier, David Davis, Moira Deeming, Enver Erdogan, Jacinta Ermacora, Michael Galea, Renee Heath, Ann-Marie Hermans, Shaun Leane, David Limbrick, Wendy Lovell, Trung Luu, Bev McArthur, Joe McCracken, Nick McGowan, Tom McIntosh, Ingrid Stitt, Jaclyn Symes, Lee Tarlamis, Sonja Terpstra, Gayle Tierney, Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell
Noes (6)
Katherine Copsey, Anasina Gray-Barberio, Sarah Mansfield, Rachel Payne, Aiv Puglielli, Georgie Purcell
Official record: Minutes of the Proceedings Nos. 128, 129 and 130 (LC-60-128-02)
Sources
- EM
- Second reading (Jacinta Allan (Premier; statement of compatibility and incorporated second-reading speech, Tough Bail bill), 2025-03-18)
- Opposition (Michael O'Brien (lead, Tough Bail bill), 2025-03-18)
- Crossbench (Gabrielle de Vietri (moved reasoned amendment, Tough Bail bill), The Australian Greens - Victoria)
- Crossbench (Katherine Copsey (moved reasoned amendment and amendments KC43C, Tough Bail bill), The Australian Greens - Victoria)
- News: National Indigenous Times (2025-07-30); National Indigenous Times (2025-07-21); Inside State Government (trade publication) (2025-07-29)
- Full list: Sources tab (45 items).
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