Thursday 6 February 2025
Labor’s ‘bail fail’ as private bail monitoring firm collapses
Victorians have been left exposed to danger as a private electronic monitoring firm collapsed without notice.
BailSafe Australia monitored a number of alleged criminals for bail compliance via GPS tracking. The company closed last week without notice to Victoria Police or the courts, leaving a number of alleged criminals unmonitored.
BailSafe director Jackson Oppy is facing charges of possessing methylamphetamine and steroids.
The collapse of this company highlights the failure of the Allan Labor Government to regulate these businesses and ensure they are managed by appropriate people.
Shadow Attorney-General Michael O’Brien said “The Labor Government writes the Bail Act; not the courts, police or the Office of Public Prosecutions.
“Labor’s failure to ensure that these private bail monitoring businesses are not run by cowboys or crooks has put the safety of Victorians at risk.
“How can Labor allow someone facing serious drug charges to run a business keeping tabs on bail compliance?
“There are serious questions about whether this business model should be allowed at all. But while Labor does allow it, there is an obligation to ensure due diligence, background checks and a ‘fit and proper person’ test applies to those in charge”.
Shadow Minister for Police David Southwick said “Premier Allan needs to explain why she has outsourced keeping criminals off our streets to the highest bidder and failed to keep Victorians safe.
“It has been reported that Victoria Police have been investigating BailSafe and other private providers for inappropriate conduct for six months yet the Premier has allowed them to continue to operate.
“The Allan Labor Government must immediately cease the program pending the completion of an investigation to ensure the safety of Victorians is not compromised.”