Tuesday, 3 March 2026

 Nick McGOWAN (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (13:03): My question is for the Minister for Police in the other place. I had the misfortune recently of being in Doncaster East. I do not often venture north of the freeway, because I like to stay in my own electorate of Ringwood. Nonetheless I did venture north, and having done so, very, very unfortunately I had occasion to go across the road to the police station.

Harriet Shing interjected.

Nick McGOWAN: Sadly, I did not find my jacket there. I found no clothes. I am not going to lecture anyone on good or bad fashion. I would have reported my poor fashion sense to the police were it not for the fact they were not open. Sign after sign after sign said they were closed. It was probably a good thing for the people of Victoria they were closed and I can continue to wear what I wear. But nonetheless my simple point is this: recently I have been told that Forest Hill station too has had reduced hours, and now they will close at 6 pm every evening. It used to be 11 pm.

David Davis interjected.

Nick McGOWAN: That is shameful if true. I ask the police minister to confirm that that is or is not true. If it is true, then I ask the minister to reverse that decision, and I seek from the Minister for Police a commitment –

Harriet Shing: The minister? Do you mean the commissioner?

Nick McGOWAN: No, from the minister himself – I will take that interjection up – that he instruct that that station remain open till 11 pm every night.