Huge Bail Law Reforms Announced In Light Of Melbourne Bourke Street Rampage

Night courts, for magistrates to hear after-hours bail requests, will be established under a major shake-up to the Victorian legal system following Melbourne’s Bourke Street tragedy.

Dimitrious Gargasoulas, an accused killer, was released by a bail justice just days before he allegedly mowed down pedestrians at Bourke Street mall last Friday.

Five people have died, including a three-month-old baby boy, 10-year-old Thalia Hakin, 22-year-old Jess Mudie and 33-year-old Matthew Si. It’s understood more than 30 others were injured.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced a major shake-up to the bail system this morning, saying the tragedy has sparked “legitimate questions” and “profound anger”.

Andrews said the bail system had undergone many changes in the past two years, but it’s clear much more needs to be done. “We need to have a really close look at each and every element of our bail system and we need to make profound change for the future to keep Victoria safe,” he declared.

It was then announced by Andrews that an after-hours magistrates’ court would be established to consider bail applications for people charged with violent crimes when police oppose bail. At the moment, bail justices in Victoria are trained volunteers and need only to be Australian citizens and not insolvent.

In other state jurisdictions, on-call magistrates are used for after-hours bail hearings.

“We think it is an appropriate balance to strike where those more serious matters go before a court as opposed to going before a volunteer,” explained Andrews.

Since the incident, the Victorian Government has set up a fund for families who have been affected. It pledged $100,000 initially, and said anyone who would like to make a donation could do so through the government website.

There will also be a vigil tonight for the victims and their families at Federation Square.

Andrews said 15 people still remain in hospital, two of whom are in a critical condition.

Photo: Twitter (@smith_damian)