Tuesday, 3 February 2026

 Anasina GRAY-BARBERIO (Northern Metropolitan) (18:16): (1196) My question is to the Minister for Police. After the Federal Court found the recent CBD designated area declaration by Victoria Police was unlawful and invalid, all Victorians deserve confidence that extraordinary search powers will not be used outside the law, including racialised communities. The minister repeatedly reassures Parliament that Victoria Police does not engage in racial profiling, yet independent reports continue to find disproportionate stops and searches of Aboriginal and racially marginalised communities, including in the operation of designated area powers. What specific actions will the minister take this year to end racial profiling, including mandatory publication of stop-and-search data by perceived race, enforceable training and discipline, and independent oversight, so Victorians can have confidence these powers are not being used in a discriminatory way?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (18:17): I thank Ms Gray-Barberio for her question and her interest in this matter. I will make sure that is passed on to the Minister for Police in the other place for an appropriate response.

 Anasina GRAY-BARBERIO (Northern Metropolitan) (18:17): When will the minister stop relying on assurances and establish an independent, properly empowered oversight mechanism, backed by transparent data reporting, to prevent, detect and sanction racial profiling?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (18:17): I thank Ms Gray-Barberio for that supplementary question. I will make sure that there is an appropriate response from the Minister for Police in the other place.