The Victorian Government’s new second-strike rule means people on bail for an indictable offence who commit another indictable offence will now face tougher consequences.
Under the change, offenders on bail for an indictable offence will no longer benefit from the ‘presumption of bail’.
The second-strike rule was legislated last year and is one of a number of bail reforms introduced by the Victorian Government in recent times.
The government’s previous bail reforms are already showing results.
The latest crime statistics shows bail refusals and revocations are at record highs.
Magistrates remanded offenders 10,000 more times in 2025 than in 2024 — a more than 70 per cent increase.
Last month, Adult Time for Violent Crime laws started.
This means children 14 and above committing serious violent crimes face adult sentences in adult courts.
Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny said the bail reforms went further than ever before to stop re-offending and keep the community safe.
“Our bail laws are putting community safety first and send a clear message that repeat offending will not be tolerated,” she said.