Thursday, 29 May 2025

 Wendy LOVELL (Northern Victoria) (10:06): Violent crime in Victoria is not just happening in Melbourne, and shopping centre violence is certainly not limited to machete fights in Northland, but Premier Jacinta Allan and her government are not doing enough to stop it. In the City of Greater Bendigo violent crime and shopping centre assaults are happening right under the Premier’s nose. In recent weeks a shopping centre that is just across the road from the Premier’s electorate office has been the site of three violent crimes. The first was the sickening and violent attack of a security guard by a gang of around 10 youths who ripped his turban from his head, knocked him to the ground, punched him, kicked him and stomped on his head while their mates filmed the assault. The second was an assault on a customer by the same gang of youths. It was an all-in assault that knocked him from his feet as the youths, including several females, continued to punch and kick him and others filmed the assault. Then last week a jewellery store in the centre was the site of an horrendous smash-and-grab that terrified staff and customers. Thank goodness local builder Anthony Haby was on hand and put aside all thought for his own safety to tackle the offender, who was armed with a hammer to smash the glass cabinets. Anthony Haby has single-handedly done more to improve safety in Bendigo than the Allan Labor government, and we all thank him for his efforts and his bravery. It is time the Premier recognised that her soft-on-violent-crime approach is placing Victorians at risk.