Wednesday, 23 September 2026

 Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:52): (2651) My constituency question is to the Minister for Youth Justice. Distressingly, despite the fact that Labor’s youth crime prevention program operates in the Latrobe Valley, Latrobe Valley youth crime is continuing to rise. Car theft, retail theft and antisocial behaviour are causing great distress to all of the area. The Victorian Auditor-General’s report out today says that the government has spent over $40 million in a decade and yet 70 per cent of youth participants reoffend within six months. That is a shocking track record. The Liberals and Nationals have a restart program to redirect youth before they enter a life of crime. My question is to the minister: will he acknowledge that this system has failed and it is time for a fresh start for the Latrobe Valley under the Liberals and Nationals?