East Gippslanders and communities across regional Victoria are increasingly frustrated that law-abiding citizens are paying the price for a justice system that was failing to deter repeat offending and local MP, Tim Bull and Nationals’ candidate Gemma Rendell, said the Nationals in government have a clear plan to tackle it.
“It is based around putting more police on the streets, introducing tougher consequences for repeat offenders and providing pathways and support for those who genuinely want to get their lives back on track,” Mr Bull said.
“People have a right to feel safe in their own homes, their workplaces and their communities, but increasingly they do not.
“Our police do a great job but are stretched by being thin on the ground. We currently have more than 2,000 police vacancies across Victoria and that leaves significant gaps that criminals are exploiting.”
Mr Bull said the impact was being felt right across the state.
“We now have more than 40 police stations that are either closed or operating on reduced opening hours, including Lakes Entrance.
“Victorians are rightly asking how we have reached a point where police are under such pressure while crime continues to rise,” Mr Bull said.
Ms Rendell said a key concern was the lack of meaningful consequences for repeat youth offenders.
“Too often, repeat youth offenders are receiving little more than a slap on the wrist before being released to offend again,” Ms Rendell said.
“The message this sends is that there are few consequences for breaking the law, and it is communities and victims who are bearing the cost.”
Under the Victorian Nationals’ plan, there would be a significant investment in frontline policing and a renewed focus on accountability.
The Victorian Nationals in government will:
· Recruit 3,000 new police officers to put more boots on the ground and improve community safety.
· Introduce ‘Break Bail, Face Jail’ laws to ensure offenders who breach their bail conditions face immediate and serious consequences.
· Implement ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time’ measures so serious offenders who commit adult-level crimes face adult-level penalties.
Properly fund youth diversion programs to intervene early, address underlying causes of offending and help young people get back on the right path before they become entrenched in the justice system.
Mr Bull said the approach was about achieving the right balance.
“This is not about being tough for the sake of it. It is about restoring accountability while also investing in programs that steer young people away from a life of crime.”
“There must be consequences for those who repeatedly offend, but there must also be opportunities for young people to turn their lives around.”
“Victorians deserve to know that if they do the right thing, their government will back them, support our police and put community safety first.”
“The Victorian Nationals are committed to restoring law and order so families, businesses and communities can once again feel safe,” he said.
