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Melina Bath demands action on rising crime following alleged violent Morwell supermarket carjacking incident

Melina Bath has urged the Allan government to address rising crime after an alleged Morwell carjacking, citing increasing offence rates and calling for more police and tougher laws.

By news@gippsland - 2nd July 2026 - Back to News

The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath has demanded the Allan government act on rising crime in state parliament following an alleged violent carjacking in a Morwell supermarket carpark. Ms Bath said brazen, violent crimes are adversely affecting everyday people, and the Allan Labor government has a responsibility to reverse the alarming trend.

Melina Bath said The Nationals would recruit 3,000 additional police officers, strengthen frontline policing and pursue tougher laws to tackle repeat offending

Crime concerns grow

Ms Bath said, "Latrobe Valley locals should not be fearful about visiting the supermarket, yet that is exactly where we are at. The Valley has also seen motor vehicle theft, retail theft and serious assaults rise by 60 per cent, 82 per cent and 89 per cent respectively over the past decade. It is essential that law and order is restored."

Labor’s crime failures were outlined in the latest crime statistics which reveal the total number of criminal incidents in Latrobe City had again increased by a further 5.6 percent. Member for Morwell Martin Cameron said residents are fed up with the lawlessness and no action from the Allan government. "It’s an indictment on Labor that Latrobe Valley continues to have the second highest crime rate in the state, year in year out without change."

Police resources needed

Mr Cameron added, "Our hardworking police officers remain under-resourced, and they do not have the legislative powers to properly deal with issues such as youth, knife, retail and drug related crime. Our community deserves to feel safe in their homes and at the shops, they are totally dismayed at Labor’s soft on crime approach and the impact it’s having on them and their families," he said.

Ms Bath said The Nationals are committed to delivering real change, with a plan to recruit and deliver 3000 additional police officers to boost community safety and restore confidence. "Locals deserve a justice system that stops the cycle of repeat offending and imposes tougher penalties. The Minister for Police must work with Victoria Police and implement a plan to increase frontline policing and reverse the crime crisis."

Pictures from Melina Bath MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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