Wednesday, 4 March 2026

 Michael GALEA (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (19:23): (2386) I rise to raise an adjournment matter this evening for the Minister for Police, and it is in relation to Operation Pulse. The action that I am seeking is an update from the minister on how this very successful operation has unfolded in my electorate of the South-Eastern Metropolitan Region, particularly with regard to Fountain Gate shopping centre, where I have had fantastic feedback from locals about the success of this operation. I have heard directly from retail staff at Fountain Gate and at other shopping centres across Melbourne, including some former delegates of mine from my time as a union official, who have told me about the difference that the presence of PSOs and extra police in these shopping centres has made to their sense of security and to their colleagues’ sense of security. We also know from the statistics that retail crime has significantly reduced at the centres at which Operation Pulse has been rolled out. Certainly from talking to constituents, including those at the Berwick Show just last weekend, they know as well what a difference that has made for many of my constituents just going to the shops, going to the movies or going for a bite to eat at Fountain Gate.

Coupled with the various other reforms, including workplace protection orders and tougher penalties for those who assault or violently abuse retail workers; coupled indeed with early intervention such as the violence reduction unit, which this government is investing in even if the Liberals want to cut it; and coupled with tougher bail and sentencing laws, this is all part of the package of making retail workplaces safer.

Members interjecting.

Michael GALEA: Whilst those opposite may wish to argue from the sidelines and talk about what they want to cut, this is a government that is investing, with Australia’s largest investment in any police force of any state or territory being made in the state of Victoria. This is something that you can do through Operation Pulse, making our retail workplaces safer. I would welcome an update and breakdown from the minister of exactly how this operation has made a difference for my constituents in the south-east, particularly in relation to Fountain Gate.