A new state law aimed at jailing offenders who post videos of their crimes online has drawn fierce criticism from Casey and Cardinia residents who say the government is targeting social media “clout” instead of fixing a broken justice system.
The Crimes Amendment (Performance Crime) Bill, announced by Premier Jacinta Allan last week, will outlaw the behaviour of ‘posting and boasting’ about certain crimes on social media and messaging apps. The new offence targets those who publish content bragging about their involvement in serious crimes such as affray, burglary and robbery, car theft, carjacking, home invasions and violent disorder. It also applies to anyone who encourages or facilitates these crimes – so there’s no room to hide behind the ringleader.
This legislation responds to the dangerous trend among young people chasing clout on Tik Tok and Snapchat about their heinous crimes which encourages copycat offending, retraumatises victims and deeply disturbs the community.
Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny said the government is taking action because “Victorians are outraged by offenders posting and boasting about their crimes”.
“This crackdown alongside our tough new bail laws and machete ban is all about keeping Victorians safe,” she said.
Minister for Police Anthony Carbines added “these laws back the work of Victoria Police and send a clear message to offenders – crime isn’t content, it isn’t entertainment, and it won’t be tolerated.”
But in Casey and Cardinia, where youth crime and repeat offending continue to make headlines, many residents say the new law misses the point entirely.
“It might stop them posting it on social media but it won’t stop them actually committing the crime,” A pakenham resident said.
Locals also expressed frustration that the courts aren’t handing down meaningful consequences for serious offences to begin with.
“She needs to actually charge these criminals. If she doesn’t, then none of the “strict laws” that she speaks of will make any difference,” Berwick resident Amir Be said.
“This will possibly just take the videos that will still be filmed underground. The bigger issue is the bail that is seemingly offered to many offenders,”Pakenham resident Darren Palmer said.
“The issue we have is that youth crime does not have tough penalties and when they are caught the justice system is not tough enough. The attackers of my son (Jack) are yet to be caught and if and when they are, will justice really happen,” Jack’s mother said.
Others warned the law could backfire, with offenders continuing to film crimes — but now sharing them privately or going underground, making them harder to trace.
Some said the government should instead recognise the value these videos provide, giving police crucial evidence to identify and arrest offenders.
“The videos are disturbing and as a mum it was terrible to watch. But also they are evidence that can be used against these criminals. If we do not get tough this will spiral out of control and more innocent people like my son will get caught up in this,” Jack’s mother said.
“Vicpol lawyers and the Public Prosecutor routinely use footage of crimes uploaded by perpetrators to social media in evidence to convict felons. These laws discourage an act that causes no harm to viewers and benefits the justice system. The Victorian government just destroyed it,” Berwick resident Jamie McCathie said.
Eastern Victoria MP Renee Heath said “crime is out of control, Victorians do not feel safe and they have lost faith in a Government that is completely out of touch”.
“The opposition has been calling for this type of legislation for over a year now,” she said.
“The time for action is now. I’m devastated about what happened to Jack and the perpetrators need to feel the full force of the law.”
