Wednesday, 4 October 2023

Crime prevention

Trung LUU (Western Metropolitan) (18:09): (482) My adjournment is for the Minister for Police and Minister for Crime Prevention. I rise to bring attention to the recent increase in violent crime and shootings in Victoria, particularly affecting Melbourne’s west. According to the Chief Commissioner of Police Shane Patton, in the past year there has been a rise in non-fatal shootings across Victoria. The action I seek is for the minister to provide details of how the Allan government plans to keep the community safe and address the rise in shootings that has occurred in Victoria in the past years.

Just in recent weeks our community has faced two fatal shootings, causing significant concern among residents. The shooting in September showed us a man with underworld connections shot dead at a local cafe in Keilor while members of the public were nearby. On the 14th there was a drive-by shooting in a quiet suburban home in Craigieburn, leaving a man and woman distressed and fearful for their lives. These shocking events came only a few days after the horrifying violence in Bourke Street, where a car was driven into pedestrians, killing one man and injuring five more. While I wish these were isolated incidents, unfortunately these shocking acts of violence have been part of a growing trend in Victoria. Residents in Melbourne’s west want nothing more than to be safe from crime in their own homes and within their local communities. So, Minister, my concern is for the safety of my residents and my constituents. The safety and welfare of my citizens is the main concern for me. I ask the minister to provide details of how the government plans to keep the community safe and address the rise in shootings that has occurred in Victoria in the past year.