Thursday, 30 July 2026

 Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (14:27): (1394) My question is for the minister representing the Minister for Police in the other place. I am going to preface or preamble with a statement that I know the minister cannot direct the police on how to allocate their resources, but can the minister explain why, in the middle of a crime wave and severe police resourcing issues meaning nearly 3500 police resources are missing every single day, members from the public order response unit are attending firearm safety inspections, along with another member, inspecting the storage of firearm licence holders over 70 years old to apparently educate them about what to do with their firearms when they die?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Environment, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (14:27): I thank Mr Bourman for his question and his interest in this matter. In line with the practices of this place, I will take that on notice and seek a written response from the police minister in the other police.

 Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (14:28): Minister, in January 2026 Victoria Police’s Operation Vulcan conducted more than 150 firearm storage inspections across Latrobe Valley. From 150 checks, only one single objectively minor breach was detected, resulting in an improvement notice rather than a prosecution or licence cancellation. By comparison, at around the same time, Victoria Police’s Operation Colossus on Melbourne’s Monash Freeway detected 66 impaired drivers, 57 drink drivers and nine drug drivers. Police also impounded 13 vehicles, detected nine suspended or disqualified drivers, plus more. So my question is: what problem is being attended to by the harassment of 70-year-olds that could not be dealt with by a letter and the police sent out to patrol the roads or assist the overworked van crews?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Environment, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (14:28): I thank Mr Bourman for his supplementary question. In line with the standing orders, I will seek a written response from the police minister in the other place.