National pledges to repeal bail law

National has announced that if it wins the election, they will repeal Labour’s new bail law. This does not mean repealing bail – just the changes made by Labour.

Labour’s new bail laws are a cost cutting measure to just keep prison numbers down, by making it easier for people to get bail.  The old law required bail to be given unless there was a “risk” to the public.  The new law requires bail to be given unless there was a “real or substantial risk” which means many more crimes will be committed by people released on bail.

Accused double murderer Chris Kahui is a prominent example of what has happened.  He has breached bail conditions three times, but because he can not be proved to be real or substantial risk, he keeps getting bail.

A huge amount of crime is done by people out on bail.  Why you would then make it even easier for people to get bail – I don’t know.