Thursday, 16 October 2025

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:21): Four million square metres – that is how much graffiti community corrections crews have removed from public spaces since 2004. To put that into the universal Victorian measurement of large areas, that is the equivalent of 240 MCGs. We all know graffiti is a bugbear of local communities right across our state. It can spoil our beautiful public spaces and make them feel less welcoming and safe for all. Last week I was thrilled to join one of our community work crews as they were cleaning up the Dean Street underpass on the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail. Under the supervision of Colin, one of our many skilled and hardworking community corrections staff, this group made light work of a heavily graffitied wall, leaving the area cleaner and fresher for everyone to enjoy. In partnership with local councils and other public bodies, more than 600 sites across Victoria are identified and cleaned up every single week.

People subject to community corrections orders are undertaking community work like this every day. It is not just about people completing their court-mandated hours and making reparations for their past behaviour, it is also about setting them up for a better future by learning important skills that will assist them in future employment opportunities. The community corrections team works with more than 500 community and not-for-profit groups to deliver unpaid community work right across Victoria. The graffiti removal program is just one great example of the work being done. So next time you are out and about and notice that a once graffiti-stained wall is now a pleasing shade of grey, you will know who to thank; it is probably the handiwork of our local community corrections workforce. I say thank you.