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Melina Bath demands urgent action to improve bus safety in Latrobe Valley amid rising anti-social behaviour

The Nationals are urging stronger security on Latrobe Valley buses following alarming incidents involving violence, threats, and drug use, saying driver and passenger safety is being compromised due to under-resourced police.

By news@gippsland - 24th June 2025 - Back to News

The Nationals are calling for additional security measures to be implemented for Latrobe Valley buses to address anti-social incidents placing passengers and drivers at risk. Speaking in state parliament, The Nationals' Melina Bath cited alleged incidents involving weapons, physical and verbal assaults, drug and alcohol use and threats to drivers and passengers, which had been outlined to her.

The Nationals' Melina Bath is demanding stronger bus security in Latrobe Valley amid rising violence, threats, and fear among drivers and senior passengers due to limited police and PSO support

Protect bus drivers

Ms Bath said, "Locals are justifiably distressed by what they are witnessing and have expressed to me the need for positive change. The bus company is doing all it can to protect drivers and passengers, but the unruly behaviour is concerning. I am informed that bus drivers have been subjected to alleged threats and abuse - it is highly challenging to drive safely and manage these frightening situations."

Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron said the escalation in serious criminal incidents occurring on public transport and at our bus interchanges must be addressed. "Our police officers are under-resourced and often unable to respond in a timely manner to incidents occurring on our buses."

"Safer Transport Victoria has a responsibility to manage and improve safety, and it should be prioritising the physical and mental wellbeing of our bus drivers. I have repeatedly raised this critical issue with the Allan Labor government, having also written to the Police Commissioner urgently calling for additional resources to no avail," said Ms Bath.

Unsafe public transport

Ms Bath said it is untenable that the situation has deteriorated to a point where our senior residents feel too frightened to catch a bus and driver safety is compromised. "The Allan government states it will provide safe transport for all Victorians, but regional areas like Latrobe Valley are clearly not its priority given the lack of police and PSO resources. Labor can't manage money, can't manage safety on public transport and Victorians are paying the price."

The response from the Minister for Public and Active Transport is due 3 July 2025.

Pictures from Timtamcat YouTube Channel.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Liberal Nationals introduce bill to repeal Labor's firearms laws and abolish national gun buyback scheme
  Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has introduced a Bill, seconded by Andrew Wilcox, to repeal Labor’s firearms laws, restore previous Commonwealth regulations and abolish the stalled National Gun Buyback Scheme.
• RACV survey highlights Gippsland highways among Victoria’s most concerning roads, prompting renewed calls for improved safety
  RACV’s 2026 survey ranks Gippsland highways among Victoria’s most concerning roads, citing potholes, poor surfaces and safety issues. Nationals MP Danny O’Brien has outlined a $5 billion regional roads commitment.
• Paynesville Maritime Precinct officially opens following $13M investment to boost boating, tourism, jobs and local business growth
  Paynesville’s $13 million Slip Road Maritime Precinct officially opened, delivering improved waterfront access, jetties and boating facilities to boost tourism, local businesses, jobs and Gippsland Lakes recreation.
• Gippsland Line set for longer trains and more seats under Nationals-Liberals plan to tackle peak-period overcrowding
  The Nationals and Liberals have pledged five additional VLocity sets, adding 1,110 seats on Gippsland services to reduce overcrowding and improve peak-period travel for passengers.
• Martin Cameron renews call for PSOs at Morwell and Moe Stations, citing rising Gippsland public transport crime figures
  Morwell MP Martin Cameron has renewed calls for PSOs at Morwell and Moe stations, citing a 49 percent increase in Gippsland public transport crime between 2021 and 2024.
• 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.
• Darren Chester joined Traralgon Rotary volunteers and State MPs to prepare 500 sandwiches for Eat Up Australia’s school lunch program
  Darren Chester joined Traralgon Rotary volunteers and MPs Marty Cameron and Melina Bath to prepare 500 sandwiches for Eat Up Australia, providing free school lunches to disadvantaged children across Gippsland.