Thursday, 16 October 2025

 Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:28): (1082) My question is for the minister representing the Minister for Police, Minister Erdogan. Victoria Police members are under enormous pressure. Crime is through the roof. Our chief commissioner has conceded that the levels of offending we are seeing in our community are entirely unacceptable. The police force remains critically understaffed, with more police leaving than are recruited. Over the last 12 months 200 more police have resigned or retired than have been recruited. There are now more than 1200 vacancies in Victoria Police. Victoria Police has made changes to its recruitment process, yet it remains unable to assess and induct applicants quickly enough to meet demand. So my question is: what is your government doing to ensure our community is supported by fully resourced police during a crime crisis?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:29): I thank Mr Bourman for his question and his interest in these matters regarding Victoria Police. I will make sure they are referred to the police minister in the other place for a response in line with the standing orders.

 Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:29): I thank the minister for passing this on. My supplementary is: would the government support the chief commissioner’s direction to remove red tape, which delays important processes and results in the long processing times in recruiting?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:30): I thank Mr Bourman for his supplementary question, and I will ensure that is passed on to the police minister in the other place for a response.