
Liberal MPs have pointed to Geelong as an example of Labor’s “crime crisis” at a local event.
Shadow minister for police David Southwick visited Geelong last Friday, joining member for Western Victoria Bev McArthur for a tour of the city, briefings with police and community organisations and a public forum.
The visit comes after the latest release of crime statistics, which revealed a 12.5 per cent increase in crime in Geelong, driven by a 24 per cent increase in theft offences.
Mr Southwick said a Liberal National government would deliver a “tougher and smarter approach to crime and justice than Labor”.
“We will strengthen bail laws because if you break bail, you should face jail,” he said.
“We will introduce Jack’s Law, equipping police and PSOs (protective services officers) with the tools and technology to get knives off our streets before tragedy strikes.
“When crimes are committed, sentences will be serious, and consequences will be real. Justice will be clear, firm, and fair.
“But we also know we cannot arrest our way out of this problem. That’s why we will invest in programs that give young people pathways out of crime – towards education, towards work, and towards hope.”
Mr Southwick said there were no “one-size-fits-all” solutions for communities.
“We want to back the grassroots to make the change… it’s not just government telling you how to fix this,” he said.
“But the very first thing we could do tomorrow is boots on the ground, visibility. If people see police walking the streets, more mobile police stations set up in crime hotspots, that would change things overnight.
“Most police stations are running 40 per cent short-staffed across the state… we don’t have enough police.”
Ms McArthur said hearing first-hand accounts from victims at the crime and community safety forum was “shocking”.
“Staff locking doors to keep out troublemakers, workers forced to physically push people out of their shops, and vandals trashing thousands of dollars’ worth of stock for fun… how is anyone supposed to run a business like that?” she said
“Why would anyone invest in Geelong’s CBD? There just don’t seem to be any consequences for offenders. Locals don’t feel safe, and they have every right to demand better.
“Local police are doing their best, but with custody suites full and offenders being shifted in from Melbourne and Warrnambool, the system is clearly broken. The Allan Labor government has left Geelong under-resourced and overwhelmed.
“Instead of wasting millions of taxpayer dollars on politicised TV ads spruiking failed bail laws, Labor should be funding frontline police in Geelong. The people we spoke to today want more boots on the ground, not more political spin.”
Labor MPs Christine Couzens, Ella George and Alison Marchant were contacted for comment.