Tuesday, 17 June 2025

South-West Coast electorate community safety

Roma BRITNELL (South-West Coast) (15:42): I would like to present to the Parliament a petition signed by over 1100 concerned residents from south-west Victoria – people who are fed up with the escalating crime in their communities. In towns across our region we are seeing a surge in public nuisance, theft, violence, vandalism, public drunkenness and intimidation. There have even been horrifying knife attacks on innocent victims. Even a baby in a pram was kicked. In Portland theft from motor vehicles has increased by 173 per cent. In Warrnambool aggravated robbery has doubled. One victim told me the offender was back on the streets, bailed before the shopkeeper could even board up the smashed window. Our shopkeepers, workers and residents are feeling unsafe. Businesses are losing customers. Staff feel vulnerable.

We can be a community that both protects its citizens and supports those in need, but this government is doing neither. Despite two years of the Allan Labor government collecting a mental health levy, we have seen no increase in services. The need for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in Warrnambool continues to be ignored. A feasibility study is simply a delaying tactic. The Allan Labor government is failing victims, failing communities and failing the police, who are under-resourced, frustrated and burnt out. The signatures on this petition send a clear message to the Premier: stop failing. It is time to act. That is why the community feels strongly, and that is why they have signed this petition.