THE NSW Premier, Chris Minns returned to Moree on Friday armed with another $2 million in funding in a bid to help curb juvenile crime in the town.

He addressed media at the Dhiiyaan Aboriginal Centre with a clear message – the NSW Labor Government was committed to addressing youth crime in Moree and across the state.

Also in attendance was Minister for Youth Justice, Jihad Dib, Moree Plains Shire mayor Susannah Pearse, deputy mayor Wayne Tighe and New England Police District Superintendent Dave Cooper.

Mr Minns admitted the crime problem in Moree had not softened since his last visit nearly six months ago.

“I would have loved to have reported a substantial reduction in crime as a result of our bail changes last year, and while there has been various parts of the state that have seen a downturn, it’s nowhere near enough to satisfy myself, the government or the people of New South Wales that we are making headway in relation to this problem,” Mr Minns said.

“Crimes are being perpetrated by a number of people that shouldn’t be on our streets reoffending.

“I have to say, after extensive briefings with NSW Police this morning and the local member, Brendan Moylan, as well as Mr Dib and others, it’s clear the police have been able to identify, arrest and put before the court individuals – often young people – who are accused of very serious crimes.

“Unfortunately, not long after court appearances, they’re on the street again and reoffending continues.

“I said when I came to Moree last year that we wouldn’t give up, that we would keep going until we made a real dent in crime, until we saw declines and we can return public safety.

“We are determined to do it. This is the beginning of a process,” Mr Minns said.

NSW Premier Chris Minns gave a media conference in Moree on Friday to announce another $2 million in funding to address youth crime.

The Premier also announced an extension of the 22C bail test for those that have been convicted of serious offences.

He also said he will push for legislative change.

The 22C bail test is a section of the Bail Act 2013 which limits the ability of bail authorities to grant bail to young people who are charged with certain serious offences while already out on bail.

The bail test was due to lapse in April.

“The 22C bail test will extend for an additional three years,” Mr Minns said.

“We’ve got more to do, and we are looking at legislative change to ensure we can keep the people of Moree and New South Wales safe from repeat offenders.”

Mr Minns said Moree and other parts of regional New South Wales was experiencing “very challenging times”.

“I would’ve loved to have come to town today and said ‘mission accomplished’ when it comes to regional crime,” Mr Minns said.

“The truth of the matter is that’s not the case. We have not made the inroads that we hoped to have made, when it comes to persistent re-offending from some people in the community.

“Undeniably, it’s created fear amongst people in town and we need to act.

“We are making decisions to put in unprecedented resources for police, bail accommodation and resources.”

Mr Minns announced an additional $2 million to strengthen community safety programs in Moree. “That comes on the back of $13 million that’s been allocated as part of the targeted response, and we’ve allocated a tender to three organisations for a bail accommodation facility in town,” Mr Minns said.

Member for Northern Tablelands, Brendan Moylan, believes injecting more money into Moree is not going to solve issues with youth crime in the town, or regional New South Wales.

“Spending more taxpayer money in Moree is not going to solve this issue across regional New South Wales,” Mr Moylan said.

“The Minns Labor government should focus on protecting the community as opposed to throwing more money at a problem that has not been resolved by funding alone.

“The way to fix youth crime and protect our communities is to hold the offenders to account for the impact they have on the innocent victim and the community.

“Parliament’s job is to protect the community and spending more taxpayer money is not the answer.

“Proper legislation is how to fix crime across regional New South Wales,” he said.

“The Government needs to implement significant legislative reform to protect the community, particularly doli incapax, the Bail Act and sentencing legislation.”