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Melina Bath condemned the Allan Labor government for neglecting community safety amid police shortages

Melina Bath criticised the Allan Labor government for failing to prioritise community safety. She highlighted police watchhouse closures in eastern Victoria due to resource shortages, rising crime, and reduced officer numbers.

By news@gippsland - 7th August 2024 - Back to News

The Nationals' Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath has accused the Allan Labor government of "not prioritising community safety". Ms Bath took Labor to task in state parliament calling action after it was revealed that eastern Victoria police watch houses including Moe are being shut due to a lack of resources. "The community deserves to know what other watchhouses are closed and why specialist crime investigation teams are being cut," she said.

'Labor can't manage police resourcing, can't manage rising crime and Victorians are paying the price,' says Nationals' Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath

Community safety concerns

Ms Bath said, "Watchhouses temporarily hold alleged criminals for investigation, processing, and mental health assessments. Crime in eastern Victoria is rising - we need our officers on the streets and not tied up transporting alleged criminals for processing when it can be done locally."

Victoria Police's most recent annual report discloses there were 318 less full time equivalent (FTE) police officers in Victoria than the year prior. Ms Bath said Labor's focus is on camouflaging a crime crisis and not keeping people and children safe.

"It is hard to defend resource shuffling that's resulted in officers being pulled from the sexual offences and child abuse investigations team (SOCIT), highway patrol and Central Investigations Unit in Cardinia and Casey. Police are clearly under-resourced in eastern Victoria, and our hardworking officers are struggling to get criminals off the streets," she said.

Police resources dwindling

Ms Bath also said, "The thin blue line is stretching thinner and it's any wonder residents are telling me that they feel less safe at home and in public. Despite Labor's claims, Southern Metro Division 2 that covers Cardinia and Casey are operating with 36.5 less FTE officers as compared to 2023."

"The community's experiences are reinforced by the crime statistics that reveal a 31.1 percent increase in criminal incidents in the region over the past 10 years under Labor. Labor can't manage police resourcing, can't manage rising crime and Victorians are paying the price," Ms Bath said. A response to Ms Bath's question is due 14 August 2024.

Pictures from Melina Bath MP Instagram page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Bass Coast Shire Council will close a Kilcunda Rail Trail section indefinitely from August 26 after severe erosion washed away two metres of dune, threatening trail safety.
• New Lakes Entrance fire station prioritised ahead of 2026 state election
  Council is urging the Victorian government to fund a new Lakes Entrance CFA station, replacing the 90-year-old facility to improve emergency response, safety, capacity and regional resilience.
• State Coal Mine Rescue Station Arts Centre in Wonthaggi receives major flooring upgrade, enhancing accessibility, creativity and community connection
  Living Local Regional Fund support has upgraded Bass Coast’s historic State Coal Mine Rescue Station Arts Centre, improving safety and accessibility while strengthening community programs, creativity, wellbeing, fitness and social connection.
• Bass Coast businesses celebrated at 2026 Business Awards, recognising excellence and community contribution
  The 2026 Bass Coast Business Awards celebrated local business excellence, with Phillip Island Tenpin Bowling & Entertainment Centre named Business of the Year after winning four awards.
• Baw Baw Shire expands environmental rebate to encourage reusable products, cut waste and boost community sustainability
  Baw Baw Shire Council has expanded its environmental rebate into three categories, helping residents buy reusable products, reduce landfill waste, improve recycling, and support more sustainable households through partial purchase rebates.
• Better Place Australia opens new Traralgon office to expand family support services across Gippsland amid rising community needs
  Better Place Australia has opened a new Traralgon office to expand family support services across Gippsland, addressing challenges including family separation, violence, financial stress and child vulnerability.
• Southern Rural Water manages Gippsland storages during rainfall, balancing flood risks, water supplies and community safety
  Southern Rural Water managed Gippsland water storages during significant weekend rainfall, using controlled releases to create capacity, reduce flood risks and protect community safety and water supplies.
• Gippsland Water storage levels remain strong despite below-average spring rainfall forecast, with no supply shortages expected across the region
  Gippsland Water says strong storage levels will support customer demand through spring despite below-average rainfall forecasts, with no shortages expected. Customers are reminded to follow Victoria’s permanent water-saving rules.
• Heyfield childcare faces closure after losing federal funding, putting local families, educators and essential community services at risk
  Heyfield's only childcare service faces closure after losing $270,000 in federal funding, prompting Darren Chester to seek urgent assistance while a Senate inquiry examines rural and regional child care access.
• The Nationals pledge to keep Victoria's coal-fired power stations operating amid growing electricity supply concerns
  The Nationals' Martin Cameron has pledged existing Victorian coal-fired power stations will not close early, warning of electricity shortages, higher prices and job losses while advocating firm generation and gas investment.
• Darren Chester praises Schoolworks’ Big Bairnsdale Book Bazaar celebrating Gippsland authors, illustrators and community love of reading
  Federal Member Darren Chester praised Schoolworks Supplies for hosting The Big Bairnsdale Book Bazaar, featuring over 25 Gippsland authors and illustrators, free workshops, and celebrating local creativity, literacy and independent businesses.
• South Gippsland residents invited to shape future heritage precincts across four townships through community consultation
  South Gippsland Shire Council is inviting residents across Loch, Fish Creek, Toora and Korumburra to help shape and protect their townships' unique heritage character.
• Marlo named sole East Gippsland finalist in Victorian Top Tiny Tourism Town Awards, celebrating community spirit
  Marlo was East Gippsland’s sole finalist in the Victorian Top Tiny Tourism Town Awards, recognised for its authentic visitor experiences and strong community-driven tourism campaign.
• Nationals and Liberals pledge PSOs at Morwell and Moe Stations, mobile CCTV trailers and 24-Hour Moe Police Station reopening
  The Nationals and Liberals have pledged PSOs at Morwell and Moe stations, mobile CCTV across the Latrobe Valley, and restoring Moe Police Station to 24-hour operations under their community safety plan.
• Gippsland students impress Darren Chester with their understanding of Australian democracy and government
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester praised St Mary’s Primary School Maffra students for their strong understanding of Australian democracy, Parliament and government during a recent civics visit and discussion.
• Baw Baw Shire Council Pop-Up Playgroups wins Victorian early years award for promoting children’s health, wellbeing and community connections
  Baw Baw Shire Council’s Pop-Up Playgroups has won a 2026 Victorian Early Years Award, recognising its inclusive approach to supporting children’s wellbeing and connecting local families through play.
• Matt Canavan slams Farrell's EU trade deal as farmers face unfair competition and restricted market access
  Matt Canavan criticised Labor's EU free trade deal, accusing it of disadvantageous to Australian farmers through quotas, tariffs, subsidies and inadequate market access, while urging renegotiation.
• Gippsland secures $288M country roads and bridges commitment under national government
  The Nationals will restore the Country Roads and Bridges Program, providing Victoria's 48 regional councils $1.5 million annually for four years to repair roads, bridges and local infrastructure.
• Stallholder applications open for 2026 Latrobe City Children's Expo connecting families and community services
  Stallholder applications have opened for the 2026 Latrobe City Children's Expo, offering organisations and entertainers the chance to connect with thousands of local families during National Children's Week celebrations.
• Martin Cameron slams fresh Bank Street traffic light delays as environmental studies push project back again
  The Nationals have criticised the Victorian government after environmental studies and cultural heritage approvals were blamed for fresh delays to long-promised traffic lights at Traralgon Bank Street intersection, despite years of funding.
• Regional Development $750,000 investment expands employment and education support for 120 Latrobe Valley young people through 2028
  The Victorian government is investing a further $750,000 in the Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley Program, supporting 120 young people with employment, education, training and independence opportunities through 2028.