Tuesday, 12 May 2026

 Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (13:13): (2318) My constituency question today is for the Minister for Police. My constituents ask why veterans wanting to join the police force are being made to wait so long before being accepted. Here in Victoria we have a well-documented shortage of police on the streets. We have heard stories of police being redirected from smaller stations to fill gaps in staffing numbers. The shortage in police numbers is for a variety of reasons, including burnout, illness, rising crime and workload demands and reduced support for members. Sometimes enough is enough, but who can blame them? But there is a solution. I have been told by some constituents that they, as veterans, are more than willing to join the police force and help bolster the numbers. They bring with them years of discipline and training, but there seems to be a hold-up in the system. One veteran I spoke to is young, fit and raring to go, but he has been waiting 16 months for his application to be approved. He has jumped through all the hoops and done all the tests. We need to take the opportunities presented and boost our police numbers, yet those who are ready to go are left waiting. Minister, my constituents ask why veterans wanting to join the police force are being made to wait so long before being accepted.