Thursday, 19 March 2026

 David SOUTHWICK (Caulfield) (14:47): (1582) My question is to the Minister for Police, and the question is: what options are there for my constituents and small businesses in Glen Huntly and Elsternwick when it comes to community safety? Local shoppers have raised with me concerns about the increase in rough sleeping along the shopping strips in both Glen Eira and Port Phillip and want to know what the government is doing to support people who are doing it tough. This is an issue that is beyond just policing. It is a housing matter, it is a health matter and it is a mental health matter. But at the same time, many of these small businesses are really struggling to keep their doors open. Councils are looking at it, both in Port Phillip and in Glen Eira, with their safety officers. But we are seeing situations, as an example, in Glen Huntly, where a woman was camping outside Whyte Cafe near the Asian grocer for several months. Traders report open drug use and ongoing intimidation, including a knife pulled. We need options in terms of community safety for the shoppers and also the traders.