Shadow Attorney-General Greg Smith SC today called on the Iemma Government to re-write and tighten bail laws in light of the release of a teenager charged with attempted murder, who was already on bail for nine armed robbery offences. 

"Labor likes to talk tough on law and order but as we see time and time again it’s all just a mirage," Mr Smith said.

“The Labor Government has fiddled around the edges in previous reviews of the Bail Act, but when individuals who pose a threat to the community are released on bail it is obvious we desperately need a complete re-write of the Bail Act,” he said.

“There is an urgent need for the Government to re-write the Bail Act to ensure there is a presumption against bail in cases involving Grievous Bodily Harm.

“This case once again demonstrates that bail should also be refused where a person is charged with committing a serious offence while on bail for other serious offences.

“While there is a presumption against bail in murder cases, this presumption doesn’t exist in cases of attempted murder. By legislating to ensure a presumption against bail in cases involving Grievous Bodily Harm this loophole would be closed.

“The teenager in question already had been granted bail after being charged with nine armed robbery offences.

“In such a case there is no presumption in favour of bail, and bail in an incident as serious as this should never have been contemplated.

“When someone commits an offence while on bail there should be a presumption against bail in the interests of community safety, especially in cases where that offence amounts to grievous bodily harm.

“It’s time for the Labor Government to stop fiddling around like Nero with bail laws in NSW and commit to a complete re-write of the Bail Act to deliver legislation that actually does mean jail not bail,” Mr Smith said.