Bendigo crime
Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (12:24): (809) My question today is for the minister representing the Attorney-General. Bendigo has seen a shocking uptick in crime in the past 12 months. In the year ending September 2024 crime rates were up by 13.4 per cent. Thefts, burglaries and assaults – including that of three men on Saturday 8 February, allegedly by a gang of six youths, which left the victims with horrific injuries in hospital – have all increased. My constituents are scared, concerned and downright angry with the rate of crime in their town. As Victoria’s chief lawmaker, what are the government’s plans to reduce the rate of serious crime in regional Victoria, in particular Bendigo?
Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:24): I thank Mrs Tyrrell for her question for the Attorney-General. I might note that some of those issues about crime prevention might overlap with the police minister, but I will forward it on to the Attorney-General because I know the police minister and the Attorney-General are both enthusiastic about getting our justice settings right and they are doing that work as we speak. In line with the standing orders, I will forward on that question for an appropriate response.
Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (12:25): I thank the minister for his response. My constituents are frustrated and angry at the catch-and-release model the government seems to have adopted over the past 10 years. Too many times have they seen offenders arrested and bailed, only for them to reoffend within hours. When will the government put the safety of the community over the comfort of criminals?
Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:25): I thank Mrs Tyrrell for that supplementary question. I will ensure that it is passed on to the Attorney-General in the other place and gets a response in line with the standing orders.