Community safety
David LIMBRICK (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:02): (662) My question is for the minister responsible for the Control of Weapons Act, which is the Minister for Police in the other place. There has been a sharp increase in violent crimes across Melbourne over the past year. For example, in recent weeks the residents of Cranbourne have suffered incidents of stabbings, shootings, being followed home and carjackings at knifepoint. It is the role of police to keep the public safe, and they are doing the best they can in the face of staff shortages, but they cannot be everywhere at once and cannot be there to protect people as they are being assaulted. Given that the government continues to withhold the public’s right to defend themselves with pepper spray, what does the government propose citizens do in the face of being assaulted before the police arrive?
Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:02): I thank Mr Limbrick for raising these issues about community safety. I am sure the Minister for Police will happily respond, and I will make sure I get a response in line with the standing orders.