Tuesday, 18 November 2025

 Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (12:17): (1135) My question is to the Minister for Corrections and youth justice. Last week, Minister, the Premier stood in front of a four-word slogan to admit what she had previously refused to: that crime was out of control under her and Labor. The government has cut funding to crime prevention programs – for example, to 34 groups affiliated with the African community – when the community is demanding urgent support to tackle this youth justice crisis. Melbourne-based youth support service Youth Support and Advocacy Service says the government has cut a third of its funding for its crime prevention program, denying 330 at-risk people and their families help each year. The government seriously now claims that it supports early intervention programs, after cutting them. Given youth criminals are causing chaos on our streets and yet less youth detention beds are available, how can Victorians take you seriously?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:18): I thank the deputy leader in this chamber on the other side Mr Mulholland for his question and his interest about the government’s community safety announcements. What I will say is that many of the issues that Mr Mulholland pointed to do fall into the Minister for Police and community safety portfolios, but what I will say insofar as they relate to my systems is I have been focused on building and planning up our systems so that they can cope with the increase in demand, while those opposite are committed to tearing down their leaders time after time. My focus is on building and planning the systems, while you are committed to tearing down your leaders. What I will say is that today’s announcement is focused on ensuring that early interventions are in place, that we are taking innovative approaches. The violence reduction unit, which will report to the Premier, will have sole focus on ensuring that we coordinate government services – because we do a lot of work across a lot of services – and make sure they are better coordinated and make sure that the help goes to where it is needed. I was proud to join the Premier, and I will continue to do that work.

 Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (12:20): The Australian Financial Review revealed that some cabinet members threatened to resign rather than support these measures, which include measures in your corrections and youth justice portfolios. If the members of the government do not really believe the Premier’s slogans, how can the Victorian people trust you to fix the crime crisis?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:20): I thank Mr Mulholland for his supplementary question. I know those opposite are focused on some scuttlebutt rumours in the media; I did see those reports. What I will say is that the government is committed to keeping Victorians safe. Every cabinet minister is united in keeping the community safe, and that is why we announced that package. That package is focused on serious consequences for those that cause serious harm but also early intervention and prevention, because we want to divert young people away from the criminal justice system in the first place. We are united in keeping Victorians safe. I was proud to stand with the Premier last week, and I am proud to stand with the Premier today.