Tuesday, 20 June 2023

 John BERGER (Southern Metropolitan) (20:59): (286) My adjournment is for the Minister for Police in the other place, Minister Carbines, and the action that I seek is for the minister to join me in visiting the Camberwell police station. I am proud that the Andrews Labor government’s record investment of $4.5 million ensures Victoria Police have the tools they need to keep our community safe, and our investment is delivering. New crime statistics show the criminal offence rate in the City of Boroondara in my community of Southern Metro has decreased again in the year to 31 March 2023. This is the result of highly visible, proactive policing across our community. Boroondara is served by three police stations, Ashburton, Boroondara and Camberwell, and since 2015–16 our government has invested $428,000 in 13 crime prevention grants to improve community safety in Boroondara.

I have seen firsthand the dedication and passion of our police force. Last week I had the honour of attending the 40th anniversary celebrations of Neighbourhood Watch on behalf of the Minister for Police. There I spoke with the Chief Commissioner of Police Shane Patton and other frontline officers about their roles. Often hard, always changing, it is vital that we support them in carrying out their important roles. That is why the Andrews Labor government’s 2022–23 budget committed to an additional 502 police and 50 protective services officers, or PSOs, over the next two years to meet the growing needs of our state. This is on top of 3135 new police officers already on the beat, all thanks to the record investment in Victoria Police from the Andrews Labor government.

In my community of Southern Metro I am particularly excited to see the benefits of the chief commissioner’s back-to-basics approach to community policing. The new grassroots approach will tackle local crime while also supporting the communities that the police serve. That means increased engagement with local councils, community groups and government agencies to address local issues.

I have seen Minister Carbines busy at work visiting police members right across the state. Just last week I note he visited Preston, Reservoir and Greensborough police stations. I know that my community of Southern Metro will appreciate his presence. I look forward to the minister joining me to hear firsthand from the hardworking police officers in Camberwell about how the neighbourhood policing initiatives benefit my community.