Monday 17 March
Arrogant Attorney-General’s bail fail
Despite apologising for weakening Victoria’s bail laws, the arrogance of the Allan Labor Government remains on full display.
Today, Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny reneged on her commitment to provide the Liberals and Nationals with a copy of the government’s bail legislation ahead of a scheduled briefing.
Despite agreeing to do so, the Attorney-General refused to release the Bill, turning what should have been a genuine briefing into a farce.
In response, Liberals and Nationals MPs walked out of the online meeting, refusing to participate in a process designed to keep the Opposition and the public in the dark.
Shadow Attorney-General, Michael O’Brien, said the Government’s handling of the Bill was yet another example of its arrogance and incompetence.
“A Bill briefing is an opportunity for the Opposition, having read and considered the Bill, to have its questions answered,” Mr O’Brien said.
“It is not for the Attorney-General to treat MPs like kindergarten children and tell us only what she wants us to know about a Bill she refuses to let us see.”
Mr O’Brien said the Attorney-General’s refusal to provide the Bill raises serious questions about whether Labor is disorganised and unprepared or deliberately avoiding scrutiny.
“Either the Attorney-General doesn’t have a bail Bill or she is deliberately hiding it from scrutiny,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Either way, Victorians deserve better. The Liberals and Nationals will not allow the public interest to be trampled by Labor’s political games over bail.”