Landmark Declan’s Law Passed, Tightening Bail for Violent Offenders

The new law introduces a presumption against bail for both youth and adult violent offenders.

The front yard of a home in the Mount Nancy town camp at Alice Springs in Australia's Northern Territory on Oct. 13, 2013. Greg Wood/AFP via Getty Images

Northern Territory Parliament has passed Declan’s Law, a significant piece of legislation aimed at tightening bail conditions for violent offenders.

This law, introduced by the Country Liberal Party (CLP), follows the tragic death of 20-year-old Declan Laverty, who was fatally stabbed while working at a fast-food outlet in March last year by an offender out on bail.