Crime in Victoria is at its highest level in 20 years under the Allan Labor Government.
Victorians are forced to live with the consequences of the Labor Government’s decisions that weakened bail laws and the criminal justice system, with 638,640 crimes reported in the year to June, an increase of 16 percent.
That’s one crime committed every 49 seconds in Victoria.
Lawlessness is at crisis levels with theft from retail stores every 13 minutes and serious assaults every 29 minutes, made worse by Labor’s cuts to the Victoria Police budget by $50 million and closing police stations due to a shortage of 2000 police officers.
Locally, the Yarra Ranges has suffered a 62 percent increase in residential aggravated burglary and a 58 percent increase in motor vehicle theft. It’s appalling that local families are threatened in their own homes and no longer feel safe.
The brutal murders by machete wielding thugs of two young children on their way home from basketball, only aged 12 and 15, was shocking and deeply distressing, yet did not seem to jolt the government into any meaningful action.
They just set up another taskforce and have an unrealistic expectation that violent criminals might drop their weapons into the gimmick of a machete bin.
Only last week, people witnessed a shocking crime spree in Bourke Street Mall with young re-offending thugs, who had not long escaped jail for violent offences, terrorising people in a stolen car and racing through a crowded Myer.
These teens terrorising our towns is proof that law and order under the Victorian Labor Government is broken.
It’s no exaggeration to say communities across Victoria are living in fear – but it does not have to be this way.
Under Brad Battin and the Victorian Liberals, our Break Bail, Face Jail laws will ensure there are consequences for repeat violent offenders.
The cycle of terrorising Victorians must be stopped.
Further, fixing the crime crisis isn’t just about deterrence and punishment.
Prevention programs are crucial.
That’s why the Victorian Liberals will introduce a $100 million Safer Communities Plan.
Firstly, we’ll introduce “Jack’s Law” giving police and PSOs the powers and handheld wand technology to remove knives and weapons from our streets.
We’ll toughen sentencing to ensure crooks know there’s serious consequences for crimes committed in Victoria.
And we’ll introduce Restart and Youthstart to divert at-risk individuals from crime through responsibility, discipline, education and counselling.
Only a change in government will deliver a justice system that protects Victorians by being tough on offenders and smart on prevention.
It’s time for a fresh start.
