Tuesday, 29 July 2025

 Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (14:37): (1680) My question is to the Minister for Police, and it relates to a disturbing rise of retail crime in my Eastern Victoria electorate. Small businesses serve and create prosperity in our communities. Frightened, appalled and feeling unsafe, an 85-year-old lady contacted my office after witnessing retail theft in her local shopping centre. I have heard from traders who are also frustrated and anxious, left with the mess after this retail crime. Dreadfully, retail theft has seen a 66 per cent increase in the past year across Latrobe, Wellington, Baw Baw, Bass Coast, Cardinia, East Gippsland and South Gippsland LGAs, and Mornington LGA is up 44 per cent. Operating with fewer sworn officers, our local police members are overworked and under-resourced. Minister, what urgent action will you adopt to stifle this retail theft and protect traders and our residents, who are bearing the cost of this government’s failure to thwart and manage crime?