Wednesday, 3 December 2025

 Bridget VALLENCE (Evelyn) (15:58): (1442) My question is to the Premier. Premier, why are you failing to keep my community safe? The Labor government’s soft-on-crime approach, having weakened the laws to help perpetrators more than victims, has resulted in record crime rates in Victoria, an increase in crime in my community, the Yarra Ranges, and the scourge of violent youth offending. Just a week ago 80-year-old Jeff suffered a brazen attempted robbery and was slashed with a knife by a 16-year-old thug in the Lilydale train station car park, metres from busy Main Street. It is shocking to see brazen knife crime in the heart of Lilydale and at 2 pm on a Sunday afternoon. Thanks to the ambulance paramedics and Lilydale police for their swift response to support Jeff and arrest the violent offender. Jeff is recovering with 13 stitches to his arm. Thank goodness his injuries were not life threatening. The incident has terrified residents of all ages who no longer feel safe in their homes or on the streets. Jeff’s wife has told me that many active older friends are now too frightened to go walking as they no longer feel safe. We must tackle the crime wave to keep our community safe.