Victorian Liberals announce plan for new appeals court to ensure tougher sentences
Victoria's opposition Liberal and Nationals parties have unveiled a judicial restructuring plan that would create a dedicated criminal appeals court with expanded powers to shape sentencing across the state. Opposition leader Jess Wilson will announce on 22 August 2026 that, if elected, the coalition would divide the existing Court of Appeal into two separate entities—a Court of Criminal Appeal and a Court of Civil Appeal—and appoint additional judges with criminal law expertise to the new criminal division.
The proposed Court of Criminal Appeal would exercise what the opposition describes as
broad oversight across Victoria's courts to ensure sentences for serious crime match community expectationsand enforce new bail and sentencing laws that the coalition says it would legislate before the end of 2026. According to reporting on the announcement, the opposition has framed the measure as part of a wider community-safety agenda.
How would the new court influence sentencing across Victoria?
The opposition argues that decisions handed down by the new criminal appeals court would establish precedent flowing through the entire judicial system, thereby raising sentence lengths imposed in courts throughout the state. The opposition contends that
our new criminal court will empower specialist criminal law judges to ensure sentencing of criminals meet community expectations. Each sentence they hand down will form part of case law going forward, helping to establish appropriate consequences for criminal actions.
This judicial architecture would work in tandem with legislative changes. According to the opposition's public statements, the new court would help implement tougher bail and sentencing laws enacted before Christmas 2026 if the coalition wins office.
What is the broader context of the opposition's crime policy?
The court restructuring proposal builds on earlier criminal justice announcements. In April 2026, Victoria's opposition had already announced separate bail and sentencing reforms, including an "adult crime, adult time" style policy framework. The opposition later expanded this agenda by specifying additional offences it wants to address with tougher penalties, including theft of a motor vehicle, attempted carjacking, violent disorder and reckless conduct endangering life, according to statements made in late July 2026.
What else is happening in Australian news today?
A man died in a collision in East Melbourne overnight after police say he was driving a stolen white Subaru erratically in the Richmond area. The vehicle collided with two other cars near Punt Road and Boulton Parade at approximately 9pm, Victoria Police confirmed this morning.
The Sydney Swans men's and women's teams will play a double-header fixture today intended to celebrate the achievements of the AFLW side, though the event has been overshadowed this week by off-field conduct issues involving some members of the men's squad.
The Powerhouse Parramatta museum in Sydney has released details of its opening exhibition program ahead of its official launch in November 2026.
What happens next?
If elected, the opposition has committed to passing its tougher bail and sentencing laws before the end of 2026, with the new Court of Criminal Appeal structure forming part of that legislative package.
