Victoria’s about-turn on bail laws reflects the age-old conflict between reform and reaction. How did we get here again? | Russell Marks

Victoria 's one-eighty on bail laws is an expression of the age-old conflict between the forces of reform and reaction which defines criminal justice policy.

Getting tough on what News Corp tabloids have labelled “pint-sized criminals” has become such electoral dynamite that it is winning elections.

The Northern Territory Country Liberal party was blasted back into power last year by tabloid and social media campaigns to get tough on criminal kids.

South Australia ’s Labor government this month unveiled plans to “treat teens like bikies” South Australia's Labor government has promised the toughest bail laws in the country amid panic about a perceived crime wave.

The children in detention now in the Northern Territory practically all of whom are Aboriginal are the children of the Intervention, which turned their communities into mini police states.