Wednesday, 5 February 2025

Crime

Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:10): My question is to the Premier. Locals in Prahran have witnessed shops and venues being burnt down, people being gunned down and a stabbing at Revolver nightclub. Recently Magda was simply walking down Chapel Street when someone punched her in the face. This morning a man was stabbed on the same street. Who in this government will take responsibility and be held accountable for the increasing violent crime?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:10): In acknowledging the Leader of the Opposition’s question can I also acknowledge those that he referred to as the victims of crime. They are always in our thoughts, which is why we are undertaking the necessary work that needs to be done to continue to look at all options available to strengthen community safety in this state. It is so important that we undertake this work, and it is so important that those opposite reflect on why they opposed strengthened community safety measures that were introduced into this place last year.

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier needs to be factual. We actually opposed because we wanted to strengthen the bail laws, not weaken them, as this government did. I would ask that you ask the Premier to come back to answering the question factually.

The SPEAKER: I ask the Manager of Opposition Business to state her point of order from the outset. As the Manager of Opposition Business knows, I cannot determine facts of an answer. The Premier was being relevant to the question that was asked.

Jacinta ALLAN: I referred earlier in the house today to the work that we are looking at at how we need to go further, but it also needs to be seen in the context of the strong work Victoria Police are undertaking. There are more police on the streets of Victoria than in any other state in the nation, and we are backing them with the additional tools, powers and resources that they need. Those opposite did not fund a single police officer when they were given the chance – not one.

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is debating the question. It was a very narrow question: who in the government will take responsibility? I ask you to ask the Premier to come back to this question.

Mary-Anne Thomas: Speaker, there is no point of order. The Premier was both being relevant to the question that was asked of her and seeking to answer the question directly, succinctly and factually. I ask that you rule the point of order out of order and let the Premier get on with answering the question.

The SPEAKER: The Premier will come back to the question.

Jacinta ALLAN: We acknowledge there is more to do, and that is exactly why we are doing the work right now, to focus on what more needs to be done to keep our community safe.

Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:13): Despite crime in Prahran increasing to record levels, real police funding per capita in Victoria has fallen by 4 per cent. Why is the Premier cutting real police funding per capita at a time that violent crime is out of control?

Members interjecting.

Brad BATTIN: That is right, in the ROGS.

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:14): I am pleased the Leader of the Opposition has referred to the ROGS documentation, because that will tell the Leader of the Opposition what it shows for all Victorians: that there are more police on the Victorian streets than in any other state in the nation. Do you know what that same document would have said between 2010 and 2014? No funded police during that period of time. Our government supports Victoria Police, supports the Victorian community and will continue to do the work that needs to be done to keep our community safe.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, I ask you to cease interjecting across the table.