Thursday, 19 June 2025

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Crime

Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:03): My question is to the Premier. Crime is out of control in Victoria because Labor is weak and has failed to keep the community safe. Ms Symes, as Attorney-General, said she did not want a discussion about a youth crime crisis that does not exist. Youth crime has increased by 18 per cent year on year, with a crime committed against a person every hour. Will the Premier now admit there is a crime crisis in Victoria?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:04): In acknowledging the Leader of the Opposition’s question, I am going to at the outset thank Victoria Police because what today’s crime statistics show us is that Victoria Police are arresting more people than ever before. I am not going to accept the criticism from the Leader of the Opposition for our hardworking men and women in Victoria Police. And not only that, we resource Victoria Police. We have the most police of any state in the nation. Not only do we have more police in our state than any other jurisdiction, our government is resourcing those police with not just the tools and the resources but, most critically, the powers that they need. That is why I am thanking Victoria Police.

Members interjecting.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The Minister for Consumer Affairs is warned.

Sam Groth: On a point of order, Deputy Speaker, on relevance, the question does not even mention Victoria Police. I ask you to bring the Premier back to answering the actual question.

Jacinta ALLAN: On the point of order, Deputy Speaker, in my defence, I was being entirely relevant to the question. You cannot have an arrest without a member of Victoria Police, so I think it is entirely appropriate and relevant to refer to Victoria Police.

Members interjecting.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The member for Pascoe Vale is also warned. The Premier is being relevant to the question asked.

Jacinta ALLAN: In responding to the Leader of the Opposition’s question, I was referring also to the additional powers we have given Victoria Police – those people who go and arrest people who are breaking the law, for the benefit of the member for Nepean. What we have seen under our government is that we have the toughest bail laws in the country, and I note Victoria Police’s statement itself –

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Deputy Speaker, the Premier is debating the question. It is very narrow. Will she admit there is a youth crime crisis?

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Premier was being relevant to the question about crime.

Jacinta ALLAN: We absolutely have acknowledged that there was more to do, which is why in putting community safety first we have the toughest bail laws in the country, which those opposite opposed. We have introduced Australia’s first machete ban, working with Victoria Police on bringing about the machete ban within six months, compared to the United Kingdom, which took 18 months. We have introduced electronic monitoring for youth offenders to make sure that they comply with bail. Be absolutely clear: we are placing community safety first, and this approach comes from sitting and listening, as I and I know many of my colleagues have done. We have listened because behind every one of these statistics is a victim of crime. I think that is important to remember when we consider these statistics, which is why I go back to where I started. I thank Victoria Police for their work. We back the work of Victoria Police because we have met many victims of crime and understood that we need to place community safety first and foremost in the work that we have been doing and will continue to do.

Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:08): Crime is out of control in Victoria because Labor are weak and have failed when it comes to community safety. In Victoria a car is stolen every 17 minutes, an aggravated burglary is committed every hour and, like clockwork, a crime is committed every 50 seconds. Why has the Allan Labor government failed to keep Victorians safe by cutting the budget to Victoria Police by $50 million, leaving 1100 vacancies on rosters and continuing to leave over 40 stations closed or with reduced hours across our state?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:09): I am going to absolutely correct the record. There absolutely has been no cut to Victoria Police. I know the Leader of the National Party is fond of budget papers. Perhaps the Leader of the Opposition might like to look at budget paper 3, page 158. We have increased the funding for Victoria Police.

Members interjecting.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The member for Yan Yean can leave the chamber for half an hour. I need to be able to hear the Premier.

Member for Yan Yean withdrew from chamber.

Jacinta ALLAN: Also, in referring back to the Leader of the Opposition’s question, I do remind the house that today’s crime statistics remind all of us of the number one law and order matter that Victoria Police respond to, and that is family violence.

Brad Battin: On a point of order, Deputy Speaker, the question is specifically about the crime statistics here in our state and the cut to budgets. Why won’t the minister address the cut to the budget, the 1100 less police and the 40 police stations that are shut or with reduced hours under her watch?

Mary-Anne Thomas: On the point of order, Deputy Speaker, once again the Leader of the Opposition is defying your ruling in relation to points of order not being an opportunity to reframe or ask the question again.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I would have to be able to hear the Leader of the Opposition –

Members interjecting.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Minister! Leader of the House, please. I would have to be able to hear the point of order in order to determine that. The Premier was being relevant to the question asked.

Jacinta ALLAN: I was referring to the number one law and order matter in this state. Today’s crime statistics remind us of that ongoing work, and that goes to culture, alongside supporting the work of Victoria Police.