People who assault front-line workers in the ACT would face tougher bail rules under a new law proposed by the Canberra Liberals. ACT opposition police spokesman Jeremy Hanson will introduced a bail amendment bill in the territory's Legislative Assembly on Thursday. The amendment would add "assault on a front-line community service provider" to a list of offences where the presumption of bail does not apply. Mr Hanson said this would mean those who assault front-line workers such as police, ambulance officers or other emergency workers would no longer have a "get out of jail free card". MORE A.C.T. POLITICS NEWS: "For years we have been asking for reviews to our bail laws. Since we first asked for this in 2012, the government still cannot tell who is committing offences while on bail, and there are not extra protections for our front-line workers," Mr Hanson said. "Those workers and the community are sick of seeing repeat assaults by people who are out on bail. It takes a terrible toll on our front-line workers, and they deserve better. "By making this change, it sends a message to these workers - if you do get assaulted, we've got your back." Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
Oppositon police spokesman Jeremy Hanson will introduce the amendment on Thursday. Picture: Keegan Carroll
People who assault front-line workers in the ACT would face tougher bail rules under a new law proposed by the Canberra Liberals.
ACT opposition police spokesman Jeremy Hanson will introduced a bail amendment bill in the territory's Legislative Assembly on Thursday.
The amendment would add "assault on a front-line community service provider" to a list of offences where the presumption of bail does not apply.
Mr Hanson said this would mean those who assault front-line workers such as police, ambulance officers or other emergency workers would no longer have a "get out of jail free card".
"For years we have been asking for reviews to our bail laws. Since we first asked for this in 2012, the government still cannot tell who is committing offences while on bail, and there are not extra protections for our front-line workers," Mr Hanson said.
"Those workers and the community are sick of seeing repeat assaults by people who are out on bail. It takes a terrible toll on our front-line workers, and they deserve better.
"By making this change, it sends a message to these workers - if you do get assaulted, we've got your back."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
