When a bail application is made in respect of a child under the Bail Act 1977 (Vic) as amended in 2025, the overarching importance of maximising community safety under s 1B(1AA) must be understood through the lens of s 3B. Community safety has two aspects: short-term (removing the child from the community) and long-term (recognising that incarceration increases recidivism). The removal of 'remand as last resort' from s 3B(1)(b) does not change the requirement to impose the minimum intervention necessary. The 2025 amendments, including the reclassification of offences, do not substantively alter the exceptional circumstances or unacceptable risk tests.
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