Bail decisions set for overhaul as Ticehurst investigation launched

An investigation has been launched into whether slain mother Molly Ticehurst was offered “intruder proofing” to her home in the weeks before she was killed, as the NSW government moved to end the practice of court registrars making bail decisions.

The planned reforms to get magistrates covering all bail hearings will cost $34 million over four years and will employ up to six additional magistrates, Attorney-General Michael Daley said.

Under current arrangements, court officers called registrars often make bail conditions on weekends in regional areas. The reforms are expected to be implemented in the coming months.

“Registrars have an important place in the administration of the courts but there is now a community expectation that our magistrates are best placed to make these decisions in what are often very difficult circumstances,” Daley said.

Those accused of serious domestic violence offences who do manage to get bail will be required to wear an electronic ankle bracelet under a suite of reforms announced by the government last month.

As part of the government’s emergency $230 million fund to address domestic violence, $48.2 million has been set aside to increase the number of workers working in refuges, and $38.7 million dedicated to a primary prevention strategy to change public attitudes to gender-based violence.

“Overall, the government’s domestic, family and sexual violence bail reforms will make it more difficult for those accused of serious domestic violence offences to get bail,” Daley said.

The bail overhaul comes in the wake of the death of 28-year-old Molly Ticehurst, who was allegedly murdered in April by her former partner who was out on bail, granted by a registrar, after being charged with a string of domestic violence offences.

This week, Ticehurst’s parents told The Guardian that two weeks before her alleged murder, she was promised help to “intruder proof” her Forbes home as part of a NSW government domestic violence program.

NSW Minister for Domestic Violence Jodie Harrison told parliament on Thursday while police and a coroner’s investigation was underway, she had asked the Cabinet Office to conduct an investigation into exactly which services she had accessed.

“Obviously something has gone wrong here,” she said.

“The Cabinet Office has been tasked to undertake a review of all the actions Molly Ticehurst had with the NSW government agencies and domestic violence services in the lead up to the death.

“The premier has previously said, and I acknowledge, that this tragic death should have been preventable.”

Almost 40,000 Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders have been issued in NSW in the past 12 months.

If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636. The men’s referral service is on 1300 766 491.

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