Southern Metropolitan Region
Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:56): (1435) My question is to the Minister for Police. One of the responsibilities of government is to keep the community safe. Victorians are living in fear in their own homes due to the increase in the number of aggravated burglaries that are literally being reported on every day. It has been raised on Melbourne radio station 3AW that these shocking crime stats should be released weekly. For so many of my constituents, the impacts of these crimes are significant and long-lasting. Victorians should not be living in fear and wondering when they go to bed at night if they will be another victim of a violent home invasion. Crime stats are released quarterly, but since the question was raised on radio a number of people have approached me and asked me why they are not being released weekly. The issue is of immense public interest, so in the interest of transparency and to know whether the government’s strategies to address crime are working, I ask: will the government release the data on the number of aggravated burglaries each week?
The PRESIDENT: Is that question relevant to your electorate?
Georgie CROZIER: Most certainly it is. How many constituents have raised this issue with me?
The PRESIDENT: I am not going to argue with you. I am just asking if you are tying it into the stats in your electorate.
Georgie CROZIER: No. My concerns are as my constituents’ concerns are, as they are being impacted –
The PRESIDENT: I know, but I am just trying to help, Ms Crozier, because –
Georgie CROZIER: I am happy for my electorate’s stats to be released on a weekly basis. That would be very helpful.
The PRESIDENT: That is good. Thank you.