Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Russel Northe MLA

Increased PSO Role A Win

Parliament welcomed the new legislation in increasing the role of Protective Service Officers (PSO’s) in Victoria.

By Portal Admin - 15th June 2020 - Back to News

Member for Morwell Russell Northe has welcomed the introduction of new legislation in State Parliament this week, increasing the role of Protective Service Officers (PSO’s) in Victoria.

"I congratulate the Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville and her Government, upon the introduction of PSO changes within the Police and Emergency Legislation Amendment Bill 2020", Mr Northe said from Spring Street.

"The original introduction of PSO’s in 2012 was a very welcomed initiative. I recognised the significance of their role and subsequently pushed to have the program rolled out in my electorate as a matter of priority. At the time, I pleaded with the Government to include rolling this service out to transport hubs such as the bus terminals at Mid Valley Morwell and the Traralgon Plaza", Mr Northe reflected.

"The legislation introduced today seeks to expand the time, place and reasons where PSO’s can be deployed – including during a state of disaster, critical incidents, crowded public spaces, sporting and entertainment events".

"Whilst the exact locations of the deployment have not been announced as yet, I look forward to working with the Government to ensuring priority public spaces in our community will benefit from these changes", Mr Northe commented.

"We know that the Victorian community greatly value the role of PSO’s in keeping commuters safe and protected. I’d like to acknowledge and thank our local PSO’s who work tirelessly in watching over, aiding and supporting our local community".

"Expanding their role is a move that makes sense – PSO’s are a visible presence that meaningfully engage with the community to provide a safe environment for all", Mr Northe stated.

Mr Northe said he hoped that PSO’s might also be allocated for local public transport services and to enhance the safety of bus drivers, train staff and commuters.

"Back in February 2018, I announced a community safety policy (attached) that called for greater flexibility of where PSO’s could be stationed and I am pleased to see the Government have adopted some elements of that same policy" Mr Northe said.

"However, I still believe that transport authorised officers are required on a more permanent basis in our community to deal with anti-social behaviour and fare evasion on our public transport network. And if it’s not authorised officers then maybe PSO’s should be given even greater flexibility to travel on local public transport services for these purposes" Mr Northe said

Northe proposes Transport and Community Safety Improvements

Member for Morwell, Russell Northe has today sought Government support for a new pilot program that will enhance safety at local train stations, taxi ranks and bus terminals and on our public transport networks.

After receiving substantial feedback from many stakeholders including passengers, businesses, police and employees of bus, rail and taxi services, it has become apparent that we have a significant problem with crime, fare evasion and anti-social behaviour either whilst waiting for transport or on transport services themselves.

"It’s not acceptable that commuters and drivers are feeling unsafe and I firmly believe the pilot initiative I am announcing today will deal with some of the issues our community is currently experiencing," said Mr Northe

Mr Northe proposes a 2-year pilot program to recruit 8 x Protective Service Officers (PSO’s) and 6 x Transport Authorised Officers (AO’s) and preferably these positions would be recruited from local residents within the Latrobe Valley.

"The program would see PSO’s having a presence at bus terminals, taxis ranks and railway stations across the Latrobe City municipality," Mr Northe said.

"PSO’s would be interchangeable and placed in problematic locations rather than at fixed locations which is currently the case," said Mr Northe

"AO’s would patrol our trains and buses within Latrobe City boundaries to help deter fare evasion, antisocial behaviour and assist passengers with relevant travel information." said Mr Northe"

The recruitment of the PSO’s and AO’s would enhance public safety by ensuring a greater respect for the law abiding commuters, provide greater protection for train, taxi and bus employees, whilst also cracking down on fare evaders.

"I intend to raise this important proposal with the relevant State Government Ministers and hopefully for all stakeholders and our community more generally a positive response will be provided," Mr Northe said.

POLICY OVERVIEW

• Feedback received from the community including from passengers, from local businesses and from drivers and staff on our trains, buses and taxis indicate that crime and anti-social behaviour are a significant problem on transport and public transport options within the Latrobe Valley. People are concerned about their safety whether they be waiting at a train station, taxi rank or bus terminal and also whilst travelling on our trains and buses. Fare evasion is considerable as is anti-social behaviour and these issues need to be tackled head on as does employment given the lack of innovative job creation strategies within our region.
• A way to action this is by recruiting and training 8 Protective Services Officers (PSO) and 6 Public Transport Authorised Officers (AO). The first principle would be endeavouring to recruit the PSO’S and AO’s from within Latrobe City boundaries to help tackle high unemployment in the region.
• The PSO’s would be utilised by way of having a presence at train stations, taxi ranks and bus terminals within the Latrobe City area, including Stockland Plaza Traralgon, Mid Valley Morwell and the Moe and Morwell railway stations. PSO’s would be interchangeable across the municipality and be placed at hot spot areas.
• AO patrols will occur on trains and buses within the Latrobe City area, to deter anti-social behaviour, to tackle fare evasion and to assist commuters who require information relevant to their travel. Current behaviour on trains and buses is causing many people to choose alternative travel arrangements.
• The recruitment of the PSO’s and AO’s would enhance public safety by ensuring a greater respect for law abiding commuters, provide greater protection for train, taxi and bus employees and personnel, whilst also cracking down on fare evaders.

• To create a 2 year pilot program designed to increase employment, improve public safety and increase usage of our public transport services
• Recruitment of 8 locally based PSO’s to provide a presence at railway stations, taxi ranks and bus terminals across the Latrobe City to ensure the safety of commuters and staff.
• Recruitment of 6 locally based AO’s to "ride" the rail and bus services ensuring public transport laws are being upheld.
• Undertake analysis of the pilot at 6 month intervals to measure the successes.

Success will be measured by:

• Public transport commuter usage
• Safety and Incident reports
• Costings of the program
• Public consultation/feedback
• Success of the pilot would lead to a longer term commitment of resources to continue services within Latrobe City and possible roll out to other regional areas.

• Increased commuter usage of our public transport services
• Decrease in fare evasion from people using our public transport services
• Fines for those who breach laws including fare evasion and anti-social behaviour

1. Employment
• Innovative job creation
• Sustainable jobs that make a positive difference to our community
2. Enhance Community Safety
• On our train services and at railway stations
• On our bus services and at bus terminals
• At taxi ranks
• For V/Line staff, taxi drivers, bus drivers and staff
• Deter anti-social behaviour
• Every resident within our community has the right to feel safe whether that be in the home or using transport
3. Fare evasion
• Cost burden to State Government and tax payers
• Support current workforce, in avoiding confrontation from fare evading commuters
4. Increase use of transport and public transport
• For the elderly who may be unable to drive, to families who enjoy trips with their children, and for young people who may not have a licence
• Those that need to utilise transport and public transport for work purposes will feel safer at stations, ranks and terminals.
• Those that use public transport for health and social inclusion outings will benefit by feeling safer on their preferred mode of transport

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com

• Lightfoot Wines combines tradition, creativity, and Gippsland flavours with award-winning wines, regional platters, and scenic views
  Perched on a limestone bluff above the Mitchell River, Lightfoot Wines blends tradition and innovation, offering tastings, regional platters, and acclaimed wines, cementing its role in Gippsland's food and drink scene.
• Darren Chester applauds Metung Primary Footy Colours Day, showcasing student enthusiasm and schools' vital role in regional life
  Darren Chester joined Tim Bull at Metung Primary Footy Colours Day, praising student enthusiasm, community spirit, and schools' vital role in fostering connections, participation, and regional community life through fun events
• Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club track redevelopment a "big win for people power," says Martin Cameron
  Racing will resume at Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club after Glenview Park track redevelopment, hailed by Martin Cameron as a "big win for people power" following community and trainer advocacy.
• New drinking fountains installed in Sale and Briagolong Parks to promote health, sustainability and community wellbeing
  Gippsland Water and Wellington Shire Council have installed two new drinking fountains in Sale and Briagolong, promoting health, sustainability, and reusable bottles. Featuring artwork by Gunai artist Alice Pepper, they support community wellbeing.
• New drinking fountains installed in Sale and Briagolong Parks to promote health, sustainability and community wellbeing
  Gippsland Water and Wellington Shire Council have installed two new drinking fountains in Sale and Briagolong, promoting health, sustainability, and reusable bottles. Featuring artwork by Gunai artist Alice Pepper, they support community wellbeing.
• Martin Cameron says new emergency services tax replaces fire levy, adding enormous pressure to struggling small businesses
  Latrobe Valley small businesses face soaring costs as Labor's new Emergency Services Tax replaces the Fire Services Levy, with Nationals warning it punishes regional communities and fuels insolvencies amid financial mismanagement.
• Omeo gains new modular worker accommodation, supporting healthcare staff and strengthening regional community
  Omeo District Health's new modular worker accommodation is underway, providing housing for healthcare staff, supporting regional jobs, and helping the town attract and retain doctors, nurses, and essential workers.
• Latrobe Valley's new 100MW big battery boosts energy reliability, cuts power bills, and supports Victoria's renewable transition
  A 100MW Latrobe Valley big battery has officially opened, boosting energy reliability, cutting power bills, and supporting Victoria's renewable transition, helping achieve government storage targets while delivering affordable electricity.
• Darren Chester meets new BRHS CEO Peter Abraham to discuss future opportunities for East Gippsland Healthcare
  Darren Chester met new BRHS CEO Peter Abraham to discuss healthcare challenges, commend local innovations improving patient care, and strengthen collaboration to deliver high-quality, accessible health services across East Gippsland.
• Bass Coast Shire Council delivers new shared path linking Cowes and Ventnor, boosting transport safety and community connectivity
  Bass Coast Shire Council will deliver a new 2km Ventnor Road Shared Path, linking Cowes and Ventnor, improving safety, accessibility, and community connectivity. The $1.96m project is jointly funded with the Australian government.
• East Gippsland Water launches new Voice of Customer program to enhance service through feedback
  East Gippsland Water has launched a new Voice of Customer program, inviting feedback via SMS surveys to guide service improvements, with participants eligible for monthly $50 water bill credits.
• David Littleproud says new mapping reveals Labor's renewables damage, strengthening the call for nuclear energy
  The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal has accused the Albanese government of removing veterans' rights to review bravery awards, warning proposed reforms undermine fairness, independence, and recognition of Australia's war heroes.
• Gippslander Scott Morris joins national bowel cancer advocacy push at Parliament House in Canberra
  Bairnsdale Scott Morris joined Bowel Cancer Australia's Call on Canberra, sharing his stage four diagnosis to advocate for earlier screening, better treatment pathways, and urgent national action on rising early-onset bowel cancer rates.
• East Gippsland Agricultural Sector Advisory Committee welcomes new members to strengthen engagement with farming
  East Gippsland's Agricultural Sector Advisory Committee welcomed new members, enhancing council's connection with farming communities while tackling key priorities like renewable energy, drought resilience, mental health, and pest animal challenges.
• Danny O'Brien urges Labor government to fund new Port Welshpool Coast Guard vessel for community safety
  Danny O'Brien urges the Allan Labor government to urgently fund a new $2 million vessel for Port Welshpool Coastguard, ensuring volunteers can safely cover Corner Inlet, Wilsons Promontory, and protect locals.
• Baw Baw Shire Council appoints experienced leader Tilla Buden as new chief executive officer commencing on November 2025
  Baw Baw Shire Council has appointed Tilla Buden as its new CEO, bringing extensive leadership experience and community focus. She will formally commence in the role on 17 November 2025.