Thursday, 29 August 2024

 Kim O’KEEFFE (Shepparton) (14:47): (798) My question is to the Minister for Police, and the information that I seek is what is being done to address the rise of crime in my electorate. Last weekend two men armed with a machete and a piece of wood tried to break into a Shepparton home before fleeing when they were startled by a resident. I know a 71-year-old woman who lives alone who was woken up to find a stranger by her bed. He demanded money and jewellery. Fortunately, she was not harmed, but you can imagine how horrifying that was for that woman and the ongoing impact that has had on her life. Residents should not have to live in fear. There has also been a significant increase in businesses being broken into. I have met with several businesses which are overwhelmed and dismayed. Gina, owner of Bicaro’s restaurant, which has been broken into numerous times, said they did not go through their insurance a third time because if they did their insurance premiums would go through the roof. I also met with the owner of another business, which has only been operating for a short period of time, who said he has been broken into twice in the past week. Something has to be done.