Thursday, 30 July 2026

 Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (14:43): (2457) My question is to the Minister for Police. Last week in Bendigo I witnessed a car driving erratically. A police helicopter appeared to be flying overhead trying to track them. The helicopter was so loud that everyone in Bendigo was looking up at it. This incident occurred days after a conversation I had with local police, who spoke about the need to use drone technology –

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: Order! I have got your point of order. Let us keep the noise down. I could not hear Mrs Broad. Can we reset the clock, because I could not hear her at all for the whole 40 seconds. Mrs Broad, from the top, and can people on all sides of the chamber please keep the noise down.

Gaelle BROAD: Thank you. My question is to the Minister for Police. Last week in Bendigo I witnessed a car driving erratically and what appeared to be a police helicopter flying overhead trying to track them. The helicopter was so loud that everyone in Bendigo was looking up at it. This incident occurred days after a conversation I had with local police, who spoke about the need to see drone technology utilised in regional areas like Bendigo. Drones, camera technology and sensors are being used in other parts of the state to save time and resources and support frontline operations. Remotely piloted aircraft systems can be used day or night to rapidly collect evidence, document crime scenes and locate offenders and missing persons, and they can be used to provide real-time aerial intelligence to assist during emergencies. As crime continues to skyrocket in Victoria, what steps is the government taking to equip our local police services with the latest technology and equipment to better support our police, crack down on crime and keep our regional communities safe?