Wednesday, 27 November 2024

Community safety

Matthew GUY (Bulleen) (10:08): I was contacted by Josiah from Donvale Christian College, who has asked me to put into Hansard his concerns and those of his classmates around law-and-order issues in the City of Manningham, so I do so:

[QUOTE AWAITING VERIFICATION]

I am writing to express my deep concern about the ongoing dangers around my community of Templestowe. Every day something new is on the news, such as home invasions, that makes me fear for my safety. Lately home invasions have been a massive problem. Please raise it in Parliament, Mr Guy, please. Physical safety is one of the major reasons why we need to address home invasions. On 21 September this year the news showed my family and me a home invasion that was about 7 kilometres away from our house, and that is pretty scary for me, a 12-year-old.

It is pretty scary for a 12-year-old because the justice system in this state is broken. When the state government prioritises IVF for convicted murderers ahead of trying to protect those who want the justice system to protect them, it is no wonder 12-year-olds are writing to us as members of Parliament to express their fear about the place they live – that is, their own state, their own suburb and their own communities – because the Labor government has denied for a decade that Victoria has an issue with law and order. They have weakened our justice system. They have turned the justice system into one that rewards those who break the law, not those who obey it.