Wednesday, 26 August 2026

 Kim O’KEEFFE (Shepparton) (09:52): Yesterday on the steps of Parliament we had the brave families and supporters of Charli and Lucy, two 11-year-old girls that were brutally bashed, after stepping off their school bus, by a group of teenage girls. The footage was sickening to watch. The physical serious act of violence has left the victims traumatised, the families distressed and many members of the community deeply concerned about the safety of their children. Tammy, the mother of Charli, said, ‘Our daughter got up. The next child or person may not.’

No-one should have to go through what these families are going through. The families and the community are calling for change and highlighting the desperate need to address rising youth crime, weak laws and the weak youth justice system. They want to see prevention and accountability. They want mandated programs when young people do offend to get them back on a pathway away from a future of crime and reoffending, and yesterday I tabled a petition in support.

I want to acknowledge the strength and courage of these families as they have shared their experiences and their desperate want for change. The tipping point and the slogan ‘Enough is enough’ brought together over 1000 people who walked together at the Shepparton lake following the hideous attack, calling for change, and many gathered again here to have their voices heard. Enough is enough, and we cannot continue up this path of increasing youth crime.