Tuesday, 4 February 2025

South-Eastern Metropolitan Region

Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (14:04): (1319) My question is to the Minister for Police, and I ask: Minister, what action are you taking to reduce the escalating number of violent attacks by young offenders in this state, after a 19-year-old lifeguard on duty at Casey aquatic leisure centre needed hospitalisation and treatment after being aggressively attacked by a group of youths? The lifeguard was headbutted, kicked and punched by the group, who I understand have not yet been located. The City of Casey has been forced to take immediate steps to increase security at council-owned aquatic centres to ensure a safe environment for everyone. It is frightening that a responsible, wage-earning teenage lifeguard, who is simply doing his job protecting the community and our children, can be viciously set upon by a group of hot-headed thugs. Youth crime is spiralling out of control under this Labor government, which is doing absolutely nothing to resolve it.