Serious Domestic Violence Offenders Will Find It Harder to Get Bail Under NSW Reforms

‘These are long overdue, targeted and will help keep women and children safer.’

A woman holds a protest sign calling for action against domestic violence in Hyde Park during the Sydney International Women's Day march in Sydney, Australia, on March 7, 2020. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

The New South Wales (NSW) government has announced a series of reforms to make it harder for alleged domestic violence perpetrators to get bail in the state.

The new law will reverse the presumption of bail for serious domestic violence offences, by expanding the category of “show cause” offences. This means the alleged offenders will need to demonstrate why they should be out in the community.