Questions without notice and ministers statements
Crime
Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:03): My question is to the Premier. In the past year Labor weakened bail laws, crime has increased by 15 per cent and aggravated burglaries and youth crime are now at record levels. What does the Premier have to say to the many victims of crime and their families who have been bashed, murdered or terrorised in their own homes because of the Premier’s failure to keep Victorians safe?
Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:04): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. As I outlined this morning, I understand from listening to people from across the Victorian community how crime hurts families. It hurts working people in particular – working people who have worked incredibly hard for what they have got. We also know from Victoria Police that particularly women and children are affected, and that is why we introduced into this place and into the Parliament last year tougher consequences for serious repeat offenders. I note that the Leader of the Opposition has asked me what I would say to the Victorian community. What I would say is: the Leader of the Opposition and his Liberal Party opposed those changes last year.
Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, question time is a time for questions to be answered in relation to government administration, not to attack the opposition.
The SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
Jacinta ALLAN: As I said, those changes – strengthening the bail test, introducing serious offences and also the rollout of electronic monitoring for serious repeat offenders – were opposed by the Liberal Party in this Parliament. What we do know is that these laws are being rolled out and they are already making a difference, but it is clear to me that there is more to do. It is unacceptable that too many Victorians do not feel safe, which is why I have asked the Attorney-General and the Minister for Police to do further work, to look at our laws and to come back and provide advice to the government, because I am firmly focused on supporting those working families, supporting those women and children. There is more to do; we will do it.
Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:06): Last year the family of murdered man Ash Gordon met with the government and the opposition to call for a change to Victoria’s bail laws. Since then nothing has happened. Why can’t the Labor government just strengthen bail in Victoria rather than launch a review that further delays action and puts the community at risk?
Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:06): I thank the Leader of the Opposition. I remind the Leader of the Opposition that we put changes to this place that he and his party opposed, changes that are being rolled out and are already making a difference. But it is clear that we need to go further; we need to make changes. That is why the Attorney and the police minister, in addition, can I say, to the additional tools, powers and resources we have already provided to Victoria Police – Victoria has more police on Victorian streets than any other jurisdiction in the nation –
Bridget Vallence: Speaker, on a point of order, the Premier is debating the question.
Mary-Anne Thomas: On the point of order, Speaker, the new Manager of Opposition Business is wrong. The Premier was not debating the question. She was in fact being succinct, factual and accurate in answering the supplementary question that was asked of her.
The SPEAKER: I ask the Premier to come back to the question.
Jacinta ALLAN: As I was saying, in being factual and answering the question, there are more police on Victoria’s streets than in any other jurisdiction and we are strengthening knife powers for Victoria Police. As I said this morning, there are further changes and we will make them to continue to support safety in this community.