The mother of Veronica Nelson, an Aboriginal woman who died in custody, accused the state’s premier of shaming her daughter’s memory and denounced the Victorian government’s plan to introduce a harsh new bail law.
Prime Minister Jacinta Alan announced Wednesday that the government would reintroduce the crime of committing a crime that could be prosecuted while releasing bail in 2023 after a coronary investigation into Nelson’s death.
Nelson, a proud woman from Gandhitimara, Dja Dja Wurrung, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta, died in custody in early 2020 after being remanded on suspicion of shoplifting.
The coroner who investigated her death found that the state’s bail law had “discriminatory” effects detained on Indigenous people with “severely disproportionate rates.”
Alan said Nelson’s death was an “absolute tragedy,” but she said she “did it wrong” with the bail law changes made accordingly by her government, and that the current law “doesn’t reflect the expectations of the community.”
In a statement provided to the Guardian, aunt Donna Nelson said the prime minister’s comments were “a shame over the memory of her daughter Veronica.”
She said the death of her daughter in custody “should never have happened,” and the government’s move “will provide a license for police and courts to lock up more people.”
“I’m embarrassed by Jacinta Alan, your lack of leadership will take your life,” she said.
The Guardian contacted the Premier’s office for comments.
Legal, Human Rights and First Nations Group similarly condemned the overhaul of the bail law proposed by the Victorian government.
Victorian Prime Minister Jacinta Allan and Police Minister Anthony Carbines will address Melbourne’s media on Wednesday. Photo: Joel Carrett/Aap
If passed by Congress, the change will only abolish the principle of remand as a “last resort” for the condemned youth offender. Instead, community safety becomes a “comprehensive principle” when deciding on bail for children and adults.
Criminals who have repeatedly committed serious crimes such as aggravated robbery and carjacking will also face new bail tests and demand that they have a “higher probability” that they will not attack again.
“These changes will bring more people back. These changes will address the core of the issue. This is a recurring violation that is a serious concern for the Victorians,” Alan said.
The Police Association welcomed the proposed changes, saying that Chief Wayne Gut “look back at the pendulum in favor of good and innocent people and their families.”
But Kate Bandrock, executive director of the Victorian Legal Aid Criminal Law, calls the change “a step behind Victoria,” warning that it will cause “severe harm” to vulnerable people facing poverty, homelessness and trauma.
Liberty Victoria President Michelle Bennett said they were “completely against” the principle of innocence until proven guilty.
“It’s counterproductive and will make the situation worse,” she said.
Nerita Wight, chief executive of Victorian Aboriginal legal services, said the government “prioritized” “political agenda and voting” rather than “an addressing real issues,” including housing, employment, mental health, drug abuse and access to domestic violence services.
“They effectively signed death warrants for those who had failed in a row by their agencies and police,” Wight said.
Victorian Sen. Lydia Thorpe said the move was a “shady Nzjjerk response” and contradicted the federal government’s closing gap targets to reduce the number of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Australian Lawyers’ Union, Human Rights Legal Centre, Regional Law Centre Federation and Judicial Reform Initiative were also critical of the proposed reforms.
The announcement follows weeks of pressure from opposition parties and the media on the state’s “youth crime crisis.” This includes the “Siege Suburb” campaign and the “Bring On Bail Reform” petition, where FM Radio hosts FIFI, FEV and Nick.
Labour lawmakers also continue to see crimes lifted by their constituents. Several posts were posted on social media suggesting the proposed changes on Wednesday.
Attorney General Sonia Kilkenny said she was pushed to act after meeting the victims of the crime.
“I met with the victims of a crime… [who] Speaking of the fear and fear that her children are experiencing, she looked at me and said, “The people who did this were on bail. How did this happen?”
“I didn’t have an answer for her. For me, it was very persuasive.”
Police and the government have previously said about 300 repeated youth offenders are concerned, with even fewer groups liable for most violations.
The government plans to block the law through Congress next week, and will likely have to resort to support from the coalition’s opposition to pass the Senate.
Shadow Attorney General Michael O’Brien said the opposition needs more detail before setting a position on the bill.
“The Prime Minister admitted that she was so badly wrong when she introduced the bail change, so why do we trust her this time?” he said.
