Wednesday, 12 November 2025

 Wendy LOVELL (Northern Victoria) (12:52): (1943) My constituency question is for the Minister for Police. What is the minister doing to ensure Victorian callers receive timely, locally informed assistance from Victoria Police personnel when calling the police assistance line? Victorians in need of non-emergency help can call the police assistance line on the number emblazoned across police cars – 131 444. But my constituents living near the border are concerned that their calls to Victoria Police’s non-emergency line are routinely diverted across the border and answered by New South Wales operators rather than Victorian staff. Callers report lengthy delays, including one case where a resident waited 15 minutes only to be told the operator could not process or redirect the call. One Wodonga resident, who panicked after a burglary, had to seek help from an off-duty police officer living nearby. My constituents need confidence that when they call this number in their time of need, they will receive genuine local Victorian police assistance.