Aust'n state gov't accused of going soft on youth crime with new bail laws

An Australian police force has accused its own government of going soft on violent street youths, after introducing laws which make breaching bail no longer an offence for those under 18.

From Monday, new legislation comes into effect in Victorian, making it impossible for the local courts to sentence juveniles that breach bail conditions.

In 2013, the previous Liberal-National government imposed stricter penalties for those aged under 18 who flouted their bail parameters.

But last year, the Labor government wound back the law after taking office.

Victoria's Police Association Secretary Ron Iddles told Melbourne radio that the government had made a grave error rolling back the judicial clause.

"The Attorney-General (Martin Pukula) could fix it today by going back and saying that if you breach your bail as a child, that's an offence," Iddles said on Monday.

Iddles suggested there was "absolutely no point" imposing bail conditions for those deemed to be a minor, if the court wasn't afforded the power to prosecute those who disregarded injunction orders.

News Corp reported that the Victorian government repealed the harsher bail legislation on the basis that it had led to overcrowding of youth detention centers.

However, recent youth-gang related crime in Melbourne has brought the issue to the attention of the media and public.

Next week, Victoria Police will launch a statewide taskforce in response the rampant rise of carjackings and aggravated burglaries, which they suspect is being carried out by members of the Apex street gang.

The gang, founded in Melbourne's south-east, has also been blamed for the violent riot staged in the city's center during a family-oriented festival in March.

Opposition spokesman John Pesutto told News Corp that the Andrews government had effectively legalized bail breaches, and the move would have "damaging and dangerous" consequences for community safety.

"By legalizing it, and telling young people that it's no longer an offence to breach bail, it sends the wrong message," Pesutto said.

"Recent allegations of members of Apex breaching their bail is a sign of things to come."

"Legalizing the breaching of bail for people under 18 is the worst thing you could do, particularly at this time." Endit