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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