NT parliament urgently reconvenes to pass new bail laws after fatal Nightcliff stabbing By Jack HislopTopic:State and Territory Parliament2h ago2 hours agoTue 29 Apr 2025 at 10:12pmAn urgent session of NT parliament will be held on Wednesday. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)In short:New bail laws are set to be introduced and passed in the NT Legislative Assembly today during an urgent sitting of parliament.The bail changes were proposed by the NT government following the stabbing death of Darwin supermarket owner Linford Feick.The man charged with murder over his death, 18-year-old Phillip Randel Maurice Parry, was on bail when the incident occurred.abc.net.au/news/nt-parliament-bail-laws-after-nightcliff-grocer-fatal-stabbing/105227660Link copiedShareShare articleThe Northern Territory parliament will reconvene for an urgent session today to introduce and pass new bail laws in response to the fatal stabbing of a Darwin supermarket owner.Linford Feick, 71, died at his Nightcliff grocery store last Wednesday after Phillip Randel Maurice Parry, who was on bail at the time, allegedly attacked him with an edged weapon.Police said Mr Feick had confronted Mr Parry about shoplifting before the 18-year-old allegedly stabbed him.Linford Feick was fatally stabbed while working in his Nightcliff store. (ABC News: Laetitia Lemke)Mr Parry appeared in the Darwin Local Court on Monday charged with murder, theft and trespassing.Mr Feick's death has sent shockwaves through the Darwin community, sparking widespread sadness and anger. Phillip Randel Maurice Parry has been charged with murder. (Supplied)In response to the alleged murder, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro last week requested parliament be recalled so that "urgent" bail legislation could be introduced and passed, with a sitting day arranged for today.Ms Finocchiaro said she wanted the territory to have the "toughest bail laws in the country"."We've inherited an entire justice system — from the laws to the courts to the corrections — that has been putting the historical trauma of offenders above the rights of people to be safe," she told ABC Radio Darwin on Wednesday morning."We're trying to recorrect that, to make sure community safety is the number one priority."Lia Finocchiaro asked for parliament to be recalled urgently in the wake of the incident. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)Legislation to be based on Victorian, NSW lawsOutlining the proposed changes last week, Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby said an overarching legal principle would be established, requiring judges to be satisfied that an alleged offender would not pose a risk to the community if granted bail."That overarching principle must be addressed and considered before any other type of presumption for or against bail is considered," she said.Ms Boothby said the changes would be based on laws in Victoria and New South Wales.But Ms Finocchiaro said on Wednesday morning the NT's laws would go further than NSW's legislation. "In New South Wales [the principle] only applies to youth, we are making this principle apply to youth and adults," she said."In New South Wales their prescribed offences it applies to is a rather short list, ours is a very long list of around 200 offences."Marie-Clare Boothby says the bail changes will make the community safer. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)The Country Liberal Party (CLP) took power in the NT in August last year following an election campaign centred on tough-on-crime measures.Key to its platform was "Declan's Law" — a suite of bail changes it passed during the new parliament's first sitting.The laws were named after Declan Laverty, a 20-year-old bottle shop worker who was fatally stabbed at work by a man on bail in 2023.Declan's Law expanded the presumption against bail for various violent offences and reintroduced breach of bail as an offence for children aged 10 to 17, with the aim of keeping more alleged offenders on remand.Declan's Law is named after Declan Laverty, who was killed while working at a bottle shop. (Supplied)Ms Finocchiaro said Declan's Law was "working", but the new legislation would "strengthen" it."What we are really trying to do is make sure our laws meet that community expectation," she said."Whilst judges do require a level of discretion ... we're confident it could really set a strong benchmark for community safety."Since the CLP was elected, the territory's prison population has risen by more than 500 people.Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley acknowledged the proposed bail changes would put further pressure on the NT's strained corrections system, but said the government was prepared to create another 5,000 prison beds if necessary.Posted 2h ago2 hours agoTue 29 Apr 2025 at 10:12pm, updated 53m ago53 minutes agoTue 29 Apr 2025 at 11:22pmShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter) News in LanguageListen to the news in Warlpiri, Yolngu Matha and KriolListenTop StoriesAustralia faces a 'lonelier' world with rules-based order crumblingTopic:National SecurityPhoto shows Two men wearing glasses and suits behind the backdrop of the world map.Data shows shift in views towards Australia's relationship with US and ChinaTopic:Foreign AffairsPhoto shows A graphic shows a defence tank and aircraft over a map of Australia.There's a reason Dutton can't resort to a scare campaign with older AustraliansAAnalysis by Annabel CrabbPhoto shows Peter DuttonHolmes à Court fuels movement that denies he'll have seat at the tableTopic:Political Parties and MovementsPhoto shows shac tealFinal campaign dash as Albanese sweats on Dutton suburban fightbackTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Anthony Albanese takes a selfie with the public on a street.Related storiesPhillip Randel Maurice Parry faces court charged with murder of Darwin grocerTopic:CourtsPhoto shows A man standing inside a room and holding out a machete to the camera.Bail reform promised in wake of NT supermarket stabbingTopic:CrimePhoto shows A woman addresses the media in a press confernece.Related topicsAlice SpringsCrimeDarwinNTState and Territory ParliamentTop StoriesAustralia faces a 'lonelier' world with rules-based order crumblingTopic:National SecurityPhoto shows Two men wearing glasses and suits behind the backdrop of the world map.Data shows shift in views towards Australia's relationship with US and ChinaTopic:Foreign AffairsThere's a reason Dutton can't resort to a scare campaign with older AustraliansAAnalysis by Annabel CrabbHolmes à Court fuels movement that denies he'll have seat at the tableTopic:Political Parties and MovementsFinal campaign dash as Albanese sweats on Dutton suburban fightbackTopic:ElectionsJust InNationals candidate Andrew Lethlean under pressure over lapsed liquor licenceTopic:Elections15m ago15 minutes agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 12:00am'Foal beats coal' in land use fight that divided a communityTopic:Coal50m ago50 minutes agoTue 29 Apr 2025 at 11:25pmAlleged triple-murderer Erin Patterson's trial over mushroom lunch beginsLIVE52m ago52 minutes agoTue 29 Apr 2025 at 11:23pmAmbulance Victoria admits to second illegal COVID-era gatheringTopic:Emergency Services58m ago58 minutes agoTue 29 Apr 2025 at 11:17pmMore Just InBack to top