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21st February 2024 12:46
Victorian Legislative Council, Melbourne

Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:45): 

My constituency question is for the Minister for Crime Prevention. My constituent is a resident of Seaford. Like many in our community, my constituent enjoys heading down to the beach for a weekend swim. Unfortunately, on a recent visit my constituent witnessed a violent altercation between two groups, with beer bottles being thrown and one offender threatening to use a beer bottle to glass another.

It was clear that a least one of these groups had consumed a significant amount of alcohol while at the beach. Understandably, my constituent was very distressed and concerned for their personal safety and the safety of other beachgoers. Following the unprovoked fatal attack on Cameron Smith in November 2022, my constituent is concerned that not enough is being done to prevent further crimes.

So my constituent asks: what is the minister doing to ensure public safety on our beaches in the south-east region?

Written Answer
Received: 18 March 2024
Hon. Anthony Carbines
(Minister for Police, Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Racing)

Violence of any kind is unacceptable and the Allan Labor Government recognises that it is so important to create safer and more inclusive public spaces for everyone. That’s why we are working with Victoria Police and local communities to give Victorians the support they need.

Since 2015, the Allan Labor Government has invested over $100 million in 948 crime prevention projects.  For example, in Frankston, the PIVOT project provides intensive outreach case management to support young people aged 10-23 who have had repeated contact with the justice system. Since 2016, the project has received $2.45 million.

Our government has also invested in community safety infrastructure upgrades such as CCTV and design-based place activation to dissuade crime and catch perpetrators. In Kingston, we invested $300,000 to the Safer Foreshore Hubs project to help reduce crime through a community safety campaign, engagement events in activity precincts and installation of CCTV in selected foreshore locations.

Further, the Allan Labor Government has also made record investments of more than $4.5 billion in Victoria Police to ensure they have the resources and tools they need to keep our community safe. Victoria Police engages with local agencies and communities in various operations including Operation Scorchio, which runs from mid-December until the end of January during the influx of visitors to the Mornington Peninsula area and south-east region. It focuses on the foreshore areas to deter and detect public order incidents including crime.

State and territory comparisons from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that in 2022/23, Victoria’s offending rate was 1,111 offenders per 100,000 persons aged 10 years and over.  In comparison, New South Wales offender rate was 1,627 offenders per 100,000 persons aged 10 years and over.

[ENDS]

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