The NSW Premier, Chris Minns, has expressed concerns and acknowledged the need for accountability from the state government in light of the alleged murder of 28-year-old Molly Ticehurst by her former partner Daniel Billings in Forbes. Premier Minns mentioned that the Attorney-General, Michael Daley, will be making a formal referral to the Crown advocate to seek advice on potential urgent law reform regarding bail laws in the state. The government aims to analyze the decisions made leading up to the tragic incident in April and the circumstances surrounding Ms. Ticehurst's death.
Attorney-General Michael Daley extended his personal condolences to the family of Molly Ticehurst and emphasized the importance of the existing Bail Act Monitoring Group to review the operation of bail laws. The group, consisting of representatives from various organizations including NSW Police and Legal Aid, will contribute insights into the role that bail laws played in the alleged murder. The government anticipates receiving advice on this matter by the end of the following month.
In response to concerns about the limited availability of local magistrates in regional areas, Premier Minns suggested the potential reintroduction of using audiovisual links for serious bail matters, a method previously used during COVID-19 lockdowns. NSW Domestic Violence Minister Jodie Harrison highlighted that legislative reform alone will not solve domestic violence issues, stressing the importance of addressing bad behavior early on and encouraging the reporting of domestic abuse to the authorities. Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller expressed grave concerns about the safety of women in rural and regional NSW, emphasizing the need to improve the judicial system and educate individuals about the severity of domestic violence.
Federal Minister for Women, Katy Gallagher, labeled the high rate of violence against women in Australia as a crisis and emphasized the need for concrete actions to keep women safe. Senator Gallagher stressed the importance of addressing the alarming prevalence of violence against women, highlighting the need for effective measures to deal with violent perpetrators and ensure the safety of women in all settings.