Thursday, 27 August 2026

 Paul EDBROOKE (Frankston – Minister for Police, Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:10): I rise to update the house on the Carroll Labor government’s plan to get more cops on the beat and help keep our community safe. We have delivered the single biggest uplift in police numbers in the state’s history, backed by a record $5 billion investment and funding for more than 3600 new police. We are giving Victoria Police the funding, the powers and the support they need, and we are backing the Chief Commissioner of Police’s plan for a safe Victoria.

Victorians have told us that they still want to see someone at the counter of their local police station. That is why we are recruiting 400 police reservists and getting station counters open and more frontline police back on the beat. Every reservist on the front counter frees up our frontline police to be back on the beat. The first 50 are going to Essendon, Oakleigh, Bayswater, Cranbourne, Glen Waverley and Bentleigh. Over the coming weeks the second wave of reservists will be deployed for the first time. The members for Box Hill, Werribee, Pakenham, Melton, Kalkallo and Narre Warren North will have reservists at their counters and more police out in their communities.

While on this side of the house we continue to back Victoria Police, we know that a Liberal–National–One Nation coalition can only mean one thing: a new direction.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, again the minister, as has been the case with every single ministers statement this week, is misusing the ministers statement to attack the opposition. They are repeat offenders.

The SPEAKER: Minister, without attacking the opposition. You will be sat down.

Paul EDBROOKE: I will not attack the opposition. Funding for community safety – cut. The violence reduction unit – cut. Extra cops – cut. PSOs and reservists – cut. The last time they had a chance they cut $130 million from Victoria Police’s budget, and that is a fact.

Danny O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, the minister is defying your ruling.

The SPEAKER: I do not believe that is the case. I think the minister was referring to a previous government.

Paul EDBROOKE: Thank you for your counsel, Speaker. Those opposite do need to be honest with Victorians, because promising $40 billion worth of cuts can only mean frontline cuts –

The SPEAKER: I ask the minister to resume his seat and stay in his seat.