Tuesday, 18 November 2025

 John MULLAHY (Glen Waverley) (19:13): (1426) My adjournment matter is directed to the Minister for Police and Minister for Community Safety, and the action I seek is for the minister to update the house on the measures the Allan Labor government is taking to keep residents in the Glen Waverley district community safe. Our government recently announced a further suite of reforms to strengthen Victoria’s justice system and ensure our community remains one of the safest in the nation. A key part of this is the establishment of the new violence reduction unit, an early intervention model designed to stop young people from falling into the cycle of crime before it begins. The VRU will work directly with young people to keep them engaged in school, help them transition into further education and support pathways into meaningful employment. It will also provide critical assistance to families when early signs emerge that a child may be at risk. This is about offering vulnerable young people a vision of hope, helping them see a future in which they can contribute positively to their community, rather than being drawn into harmful behaviours.

International evidence is clear: cities such as Glasgow and London have used similar models to significantly reduce violent crime by addressing its root causes. Here in Victoria these reforms complement our broader evidence-based approach to crime prevention. This work will operate alongside new sentencing arrangements targeting gang leaders who recruit or exploit young people. Targeting vulnerable youth for criminal purposes is appalling, and this government is stamping it out by introducing life sentences for the worst offenders who prey on children and teenagers. These reforms build on other decisive steps we have taken – banning machetes, introducing tough new bail laws making it extremely difficult to obtain bail for those charged with the most serious of offences and cracking down on crimes committed against frontline workers. The Allan Labor government is committed to doing whatever it takes to keep Victorians safe, preventing crime where we can, responding firmly when harm occurs and supporting communities to thrive. I look forward to the minister’s response.