Thursday, 30 July 2026

 Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (14:52): (2465) My constituency question is to the Minister for Police, and it concerns Labor’s decision to cut policing hours in the middle of an ongoing crime crisis. Minister, constituents in the north, but particularly in the electorate of Essendon, have been hit hardest by Labor’s cuts to police hours. Local residents have raised it with me regularly – as they have raised it with our fantastic Liberal candidate for Essendon, Tommy Le Deux. It is reported that Moonee Valley residents copped the biggest hit to their police strength, losing 31 full-time officers since 2023 – about 27 per cent of its frontline police force. To compound this issue, Labor closed Flemington police station, losing a counter where locals can visit and get the protection of police. Will the minister commit to the reopening of the Flemington police station front counter so that Essendon residents can get the essential services they deserve to feel safe in their community?