Thursday, 13 November 2025

 Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:13): My question is to the Premier. Months ago Detective Inspector Banks said, in relation to youth crime:

I think the penalties aren’t in balance with what community expectations are or mine …

In 2024 the former chief commissioner called for an urgent rethink of youth crime laws. Victorians suffering crime had been calling for consequences for years, and the Labor government continued to ignore them. Why does it take polling and focus groups for the government to do what is right?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:14): In thanking the Leader of the Opposition for the opportunity to talk about the government’s plan to introduce adult time for violent crime, I absolutely reject the conclusion he made at the end of his question. The reason why I say this is because it pays a grave disrespect to the many victims that I and other members of my government have been listening to carefully. Alongside those victims that we have been listening to carefully, we have been working with Victoria Police and taking on their advice when they tell us that this is a new kind of crime that constantly requires interventions. We have been taking action, and that action involves having the most resourced police force in the nation, with more police on the streets than any other jurisdiction – a police force that we back, not undermine like the Leader of the Opposition does on a consistent and constant basis.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: This is your last warning, member for Mordialloc.

Brad Rowswell: On a point of order, Speaker, question time is not an opportunity to attack the opposition.

The SPEAKER: I ask the Premier to come back to the question.

Jacinta ALLAN: With the resources that we have given to Victoria Police, we have also given them additional powers. The knife stop-and-search powers combined with the ban on machetes – and again I note that is another example of those opposite undermining the good work of Victoria Police ‍– has seen more than 25,000 dangerous weapons taken off our streets, the most of any state. Then add to that the toughening of bail laws that those opposite opposed, and these tougher bail laws are seeing more people in jail, not –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Yan Yean can leave the chamber for an hour. I ask members to show some respect to members on their feet.

Member for Yan Yean withdrew from chamber.

Brad Rowswell: On a point of order, Speaker, the audible noise in the chamber made it hard to hear what the Premier just said. I invite her to repeat it, please.

The SPEAKER: Member for Sandringham, that is not a point of order.

Jacinta ALLAN: I can understand the distress from the member for Sandringham at the behaviour of his colleagues and the way they have undermined Victoria Police and the way they opposed the toughening of bail laws that have put more people in jail, not on bail. I can understand the distress of the member for Sandringham at the way his colleagues behave in undermining Victoria Police. But we are resolute in working with Victoria Police, listening to victims of crime and doing what needs to be done to continue to keep the community safe, including adult time for violent crime.

 Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:18): Yesterday the member for Werribee, who does not consider crime to be one of his top five issues, said:

This issue is far too important to … post all over Facebook or call up 3AW and whinge about.

Does the Premier agree with the member for Werribee that victims of crime who speak out are just whingeing?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Bulleen, this is your last warning. Member for Werribee!

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:18): I am delighted to answer this question from the Leader of the Opposition, because no-one is working harder on behalf of their local community than the member for Werribee. I will tell you what, the people of Werribee made the right choice. They made the right choice in supporting the member for Werribee. Do you know why they supported the member for Werribee? Because the member for Werribee grew up in Werribee, he lives in Werribee and he taught in schools in Werribee. He taught in those great government schools in Werribee, where he worked with kids and he worked with police. You know what, the member for Werribee has had a big and important role in helping to frame adult time for violent crime based on his experience as a teacher and based on his experiences working with Victoria Police. I thank the member for Werribee for the work he is doing every single day.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Werribee can leave the chamber for half an hour. It has been coming for a while, member for Werribee.

Member for Werribee withdrew from chamber.