Tuesday, 18 February 2025

Youth crime

Kim WELLS (Rowville) (13:34): This statement condemns the Allan Labor government for its continued failure to deal with the youth crime crisis across Victoria. Every day Victorians wake up to yet another story or two of out-of-control youth offenders, particularly further examples of home invasions, aggravated burglaries, carjackings, stolen cars and chases across metropolitan Melbourne and regional cities. Victorians are sick and tired of the excuses and the platitudes being provided by the Premier, the Attorney-General and the Minister for Police. The shocking youth crime crisis Victorians are experiencing currently hits particularly close to home for one desperate family in my electorate of Rowville. The youngest child, who is in his early teens, of a local family headed by a mum and dad running their own very successful small businesses has created a never-ending nightmare over the past two years for his family and his community.

Many people are quick to jump to conclusions and criticise parents of young offenders. However, I can tell you through my liaison with the mother of the young offender in this case I have just mentioned that the mother and the family could not have done more to help this young offender. The long list of offences, which now adds up to hundreds of offences, for this one young offender involves home invasions, aggravated car thefts and, most recently, the ramming of police vehicles, which could have easily resulted in serious injury.