Wednesday, 4 February 2026

 Michael GALEA (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (18:30): (2267) My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Police, and the action that I am seeking is for him to provide me with an update on how the government has been utilising PSOs to address retail crime, antisocial behaviour and weapons offences in shopping centres. Over summer we have had police patrolling some of Melbourne’s busiest shopping centres as part of a 90-day targeted police operation, which started on 8 December and will run through to 28 February. Shopping centres included in this operation include Northland, Eastland, Pacific Werribee, Bayside in Frankston, Highpoint and Fountain Gate. As well as providing extra support for retail staff in responding to incidents in the centres and stores, police and PSOs have been conducting weapons searches equipped with wands to help remove more knives from the community as well.

The active PSO program uses data and police intelligence to target areas in our communities where a more visible local uniform presence is needed. That includes train platforms and trains, and patrolling shopping precincts and other busy areas where crime is increasing, at any hour of the day. The program has been designed to ensure that PSOs are relocated from the quietest no-crime stations to areas where they are needed the most whilst maintaining an active presence at stations when and where they are needed at the most appropriate times. A $2.3 million investment has ensured that the police operation at the busiest shopping centres does not take away from police in other areas and that needs are met through more rostered hours and the recruitment of up to 200 police reservists. This is about having the police and PSO presence where needed to tackle antisocial behaviour in particular in response to retail crime.

Indeed over summer I had the opportunity to catch up with one of my former delegates from my time at the union in one of these centres. Amongst a great conversation about many things, she actually raised with me the visible impact of the PSOs in her centre – what a difference they have made and the difference they have made to how the staff feel about their safety at work – which was very welcome feedback and feedback that I am very pleased to provide to the Parliament. I am very keen to see the results of this summer trial program and hope to see much more and continued investment as this government has been doing in working on initiatives like this which directly seek to combat crime where it is occurring in the most effective way. To reiterate, the action that I seek is for the minister to provide me with an update on the government’s successful rollout of PSOs in shopping centres in Melbourne.