The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath, has condemned the Carroll Labor Government in state parliament for its failure to tackle soaring vehicle thefts as Victoria earns the unwanted title of the nation’s car theft capital.
The criticism follows new Australian Bureau of Statistics data showing Victoria recorded almost twice as many motor vehicle theft victims as New South Wales in 2025.
Ms Bath said vehicle theft hits regional and peri urban communities particularly hard, where residents rely on their vehicles to work, access healthcare, get children to school and run businesses.
“For regional Victorians, a stolen vehicle is far more than property crime – it is lost income, missed appointments, cancelled jobs and major disruption to everyday life,” Ms Bath said.
“Victims are left facing insurance excesses, higher premiums, replacement transport costs and the stress of having their independence stripped away.”
Latest Crime Statistics Agency data shows motor vehicle theft has surged across eastern Victoria over the past decade, including:
- South Gippsland: up 290 per cent
- Bass Coast: up 145 per cent
- East Gippsland: up 128 per cent
- Wellington: up 103 per cent
- Latrobe: up 62 per cent
- Baw Baw: up 39 per cent
- Cardinia: up 32 per cent
Ms Bath said rising vehicle theft was placing further strain on Victoria Police as workforce shortages continue to impact frontline services.
“Residents deserve a state government that takes crime seriously and delivers police the resources they need to protect communities and hold offenders to account.
“After a decade of Labor, crime is out of control, and Victorians are paying the price.
“The lawlessness that has been allowed to flourish under Labor must be stamped out.
“Only the Nationals and Liberals have a comprehensive plan to reverse Victoria’s crime crisis.
“We will recruit an additional 3,000 police officers, restore police station services, strengthen bail laws and introduce adult time for adult crime to ensure serious offenders face serious consequences.”
