Thursday, 16 November 2023

 Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:43): (569) My question is to the Minister for Police, and I ask: with Victoria Police being forced to cut down on opening hours in the evenings, with quieter periods at 43 police stations – there are seven of these police stations being closed down or cut down in terms of staff in the South-Eastern Metropolitan Region – what assurances can the minister give my constituents that they will feel safe and most importantly be safe? People want to know they can go to their local police station when they have a real concern for their safety – usually as a last resort. How can you reassure them when we learn that there are 319 fewer serving police officers in 2023 than there were in 2022, according to the force’s annual report? Police Association Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt said:

Police stations are a place of refuge. It’s a place where people go in their darkest times … We expressed in the most resolute terms … we told Victoria Police it shouldn’t do this.

There are currently more than 800 general Victoria Police vacancies. (Time expired)