The NSW government is considering an overhaul of bail laws following revelations the man accused of murdering Molly Ticehurst was on bail for allegedly raping and stalking her.
“There are serious questions for the government to answer as to how the alleged offender was out on bail,” Premier Chris Minns said on Wednesday.
“We have a duty of care to alleged victims, particularly those awaiting justice through the criminal justice system.
“The government today, via the Attorney-General, will make a formal referral to the Crown Advocate seeking urgent advice in relation to this matter, for the government to determine whether urgent law reform is required in relation to bail laws in this state.”
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Molly Ticehurst, 28, was found dead inside her home on Young St in Forbes – more than 370km west of Sydney – during a welfare check about 1.50am on Monday.
Her ex-partner Daniel Billings has been charged with murder (domestic violence) and contravening and apprehended violence order.
At the time of Ms Ticehurst’s alleged murder, Mr Billings was on bail after being charged with raping the mother of one three times, stalking her, causing damage to her property and abusing a 12-week-old puppy.
“The profound anger and loss held by the family and friends of the alleged victim is completely justifiable. Completely justifiable,” Mr Minns said.
The NSW Attorney-General will now make a formal referral to the Crown Advocate David Kell SC to seek advice on whether urgent law reform for bail laws was required, with a particular focus on domestic violence offences.
They would also examine the role of registrars in bail application matters, focusing on matters that occur on weekends and in regional areas.
Mr Minns said that would include examining decisions that were made relating to the granting of bail and Ms Ticehurst’s death.
“Our obligation is of course to protect victims of crime in this state,’ Mr Minns said.
“Our primary focus is on justice for the family involved.”
NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley said the other important referral would be to the Bail Act Monitoring Group on the operational aspect of the Bail Act and whether it was functioning effectively.
The group is a penal that consists of the Department of Community and justice, police, Corrective Services, the Office of the DPP, public defender’s office, Aboriginal Legal Service, Legal Aid, the courts and other stakeholders.
“The Crown Advocate will look at the legal aspects of the granting of bail and the Bail Act Monitoring Group would look at the operational aspects,” Mr Daley said.
“I’ll be inviting the Women’s Safety Commissioner Hannah Tonkin to sit on the Bail Act Monitoring Group at least for his referral and possibly after discussions with her on a permanent basis given that this is an alleged domestic violence situation.
“It’s only fair and appropriate that we add her expert voice to that group as well.”
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said Ms Ticehurst was one of 25 women across Australia who has been allegedly murdered this year.
“This is 25 people who have been loved, who were loved who whose lives really mattered and enough is enough,” she said.
Ms Harrison said legislative reform was not a silver bullet and domestic violence was an accumulation of moments of bad behaviour that had gone unchallenged or unnoticed.
“Where bad behaviour has been ignored or where it’s been normalised,” she said.
“So that’s why it’s crucial that we as a government continue to invest in early intervention and prevention, in education and really importantly in housing to provide a safe place for women when they need to leave a domestic violence situation.
“So that’s why it’s crucial that we as a government continue to invest in early intervention and prevention, in education and really importantly in housing to provide a safe place for women when they need to leave a domestic violence situation.”
Ms Harrison urged anyone who knew or suspected that domestic violence was occurring to report it to police as you would any other crime.
Domestic violence helplines