Thursday, 19 February 2026

 Kat THEOPHANOUS (Northcote) (14:46): (1523) My question is to the Premier: how will Victoria’s new violence reduction unit work with communities such as Northcote to prevent youth violence before it starts and deliver safer, stronger futures for local families? We have seen the success of these units in Glasgow and London: how they work to divert young people away from crime by strengthening the protective factors that keep them connected to education, sport, health care and community; how they employ programs to connect kids with reformed offenders and take a health-led response that stabilises and supports young people; and how this approach has dramatically driven down crime over time, with some remarkable statistics. There is no excuse for serious crime in our community, and we certainly have serious consequences in Victoria. But as a Labor government we also believe crime reduction means being deliberate about prevention. We back the potential of our young people, and we are determined to see them succeed in our communities. In Northcote I see that every day in our schools and organisations working tirelessly to give kids the best start. We need this evidence-based prevention approach, and I am proud our Labor government is delivering.