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Nationals and Liberals will restore law and order with a 'Break Bail, Face Jail' policy statewide, says Danny O'Brien

Crime is surging across Gippsland, with alarming increases in offences and family violence. Danny O'Brien says Labor's weakened bail laws and police shortages fuel this worsening crisis.

By news@gippsland - 23rd June 2025 - Back to News

Crime is spiralling out of control across Gippsland as the Allan Labor government fails to keep our country towns safe. The latest figures from the Crime Statistics Agency paint a grim picture. In the 12 months to March 2025, criminal incidents surged by 18.3 percent in Wellington Shire, 11.2 percent in South Gippsland, and 4.2 percent in Latrobe City.

Family violence reports are rising alarmingly in Gippsland. Danny O'Brien says tougher bail laws will help restore safety regionally

Crime crisis escalates

The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O'Brien, said the figures confirm what locals already know - crime is getting worse by the day, and the Allan Labor government is sitting on its hands. "These are not just small increases - this is a full-blown crime crisis. Our region is being hit hard, and Labor has contributed to this crisis through huge numbers of unfilled police vacancies, closing and understaffing of police stations, and weakening of bail laws."

Mr O'Brien said while local police are doing an outstanding job under pressure, they are fighting a losing battle without proper support. "I want to commend our local police - they are working incredibly hard and continue to make arrests, but the reality is they're up against a government that has abandoned them. Offenders know they can get away with it - because after Labor weakened bail, there are no real consequences."

Equally concerning is the alarming rise in family violence reports - up 13.6 percent in Wellington, 14 percent in South Gippsland, and 9.4 percent in Latrobe. "These statistics are devastating and reflect a deeply disturbing trend that simply cannot be allowed to continue unchecked," said Mr O'Brien.

Tougher regional safety

Mr O'Brien said The Nationals and Liberals have a clear plan to restore law and order across regional Victoria. "The Nationals and Liberals in government will make a simple change: If you break bail, you face jail. We will restore accountability to Victoria's bail system to stem the crime wave that is hurting our country towns. The 'Break Bail, Face Jail' policy will reinstate the consequences for repeat and youth offenders and put the safety of regional Victorians first."

Mr O'Brien said Labor's soft-on-crime agenda has allowed the situation to spiral out of control. "For nearly a decade, Labor has overseen rising crime, a weakened justice system, and declining police resources - there are currently 1100 unfilled police vacancies. It is clear that Labor can't manage crime and country towns like those in Gippsland South are paying the price."

Pictures from Danny O'Brien MP Instagram page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• East Gippsland Council calls for fairer forestry transition funding, greater transparency and investment in affected communities before state election
  East Gippsland Council is seeking fairer forestry transition funding, greater transparency and stronger investment to support affected communities, local economies, jobs and bushfire preparedness.
• East Gippsland Shire Council welcomes Temporary Disaster Roaming 1 October 2026, allowing access to other networks during eligible natural disasters
  East Gippsland Shire Council welcomes Temporary Disaster Roaming, activated by Telstra, Optus and TPG on October 1, 2026, allowing access to other networks for essential calls, texts and limited data during eligible disasters.
• Mobile Service Centres bringing government support across South Gippsland communities an August and September
  Australian government Mobile Service Centres will visit 12 South Gippsland communities, offering Medicare, Centrelink, myGov and Veterans’ Affairs assistance, with accessible facilities and Wi-Fi.
• East Gippsland Landcare Groups recognised at Victorian Awards celebrating 40 Years of environmental stewardship and community conservation efforts
  East Gippsland Landcare groups Moogji Aboriginal Council and FEVL received the First Nations Landcare Collaboration Award, while Romawi Landcare was highly commended for innovation and its ongoing conservation efforts.
• East Gippsland Shire Council consults service street businesses on proposed Bairnsdale taxi rank relocation and Nicholson street mall improvements
  East Gippsland Shire Council is consulting Service Street businesses on a proposed Bairnsdale taxi rank relocation, while Nicholson Street Mall upgrades aim to improve safety and amenity.
• East Gippsland Council adopts 2025–26 Annual Report, highlighting infrastructure investment, community services and financial sustainability
  East Gippsland Shire Council’s 2025–26 Annual Report highlights $30.4 million in capital works, community services and economic development. Despite a $7.7 million operating surplus, Council recorded a $3.1 million underlying deficit.
• East Gippsland Council introduces free Payble online service offering ratepayers flexible, convenient and automatic payment options for rates
  East Gippsland Council has introduced Payble, a free, secure online service allowing ratepayers to automate payments, choose flexible schedules, check balances and manage rates conveniently.
• South Gippsland launches interactive park adventures created by local primary school children for young visitors
  South Gippsland will launch This Park’s Alive! on November 21–22, featuring four interactive park adventures co-created by local primary school children and artists, with celebrations across four locations.
• East Gippsland Council completes initial flood recovery assessments, providing support and referrals to affected residents and businesses
  East Gippsland Shire Council has supported flood-affected residents and businesses through assessments, referrals and waste assistance following October’s severe rainfall, coordinating with emergency services, volunteers and agencies.
• West Gippsland community invited to document local biodiversity during first-ever month-long West Gippy Bio-Blitz citizen science projects
  West Gippsland CMA is inviting residents to join its first Bio-Blitz throughout October, documenting local plants and wildlife through iNaturalist to build a snapshot of the region’s biodiversity.
• East Gippsland Council welcomes Coalition’s $120M pledge for new Bairnsdale Hospital emergency department and expanded patient capacity
  East Gippsland Shire Council has welcomed the Coalition’s $120 million pledge for Bairnsdale Hospital’s new emergency department, which will expand treatment spaces, ambulance bays and hospital beds to meet growing healthcare demand.
• East Gippsland Council develops financial sustainability strategy to manage costs and protect essential services over the next decade
  East Gippsland Shire Council is developing a financial strategy to address rising costs, improve efficiency, prioritise infrastructure spending and maintain essential services while strengthening long-term financial sustainability.
• East Gippsland simplifies footpath permit fees, reducing costs for businesses while supporting safe, vibrant, accessible town centres
  East Gippsland Shire Council has introduced a simplified, tiered Goods on Footpath permit fee structure, reducing costs for many businesses while supporting vibrant town centres and maintaining safe, accessible public spaces.
• East Gippsland communities transform emergency water tanks into vibrant murals celebrating resilience, recovery and local stories
  East Gippsland communities have transformed emergency water tanks into vibrant murals celebrating resilience and recovery, with artworks completed at four locations and three more projects planned for Gipsy Point, South Buchan and Benambra.
• East Gippsland outdoor venues prepare for summer with school holiday activities, swimming programs and swim teacher opportunities
  East Gippsland outdoor facilities are preparing for summer, with Orbost Pool opening early, seasonal swimming programs returning, Aqua Run activities planned and Council recruiting and training new swim teachers.