Gippsland East MP Tim Bull and National Party candidate Gemma Rendell have announced a policy package aimed at tackling repeat offending and addressing frontline police shortages across regional Victoria.
The proposal comes amid growing local concerns over community safety and a deficit in police staffing.
According to the representatives, Victoria currently faces more than 2000 police vacancies, which has contributed to the closure or reduced operating hours of more than 40 regional police stations.
“People have a right to feel safe in their own homes, their workplaces and their communities, but increasingly they do not,” Mr Bull said.
“Our police do a great job but are stretched by being thin on the ground.
“We currently have more than 2000 police vacancies across Victoria and that leaves significant gaps that criminals are exploiting.”
Ms Rendell raised concerns regarding the handling of young offenders, stating that a lack of meaningful consequences for repeat offences remains a major issue for local communities.
“Too often, repeat youth offenders are receiving little more than a slap on the wrist before being released to offend again,” Ms Rendell said.
“The message this sends is that there are few consequences for breaking the law, and it is communities
and victims who are bearing the cost.”
To address these issues, the Victorian Nationals’ proposed plan outlines four core initiatives:
– Recruiting 3000 new police officers to increase boots on the ground and bolster community safety.
– Introducing “Break Bail, Face Jail” legislation to ensure offenders who breach their bail conditions face immediate penalties.
– Implementing “Adult Crime, Adult Time” measures so serious offenders who commit adult-level crimes face adult-level penalties.
– Adequately funding youth diversion programs to intervene early and address the underlying causes of offending before behavior becomes entrenched in the justice system.
Mr Bull emphasised that the policy is designed to strike a balance between strict accountability and rehabilitation.
“This is not about being tough for the sake of it,” Mr Bull said.
“It is about restoring accountability while also investing in programs that steer young people away from a life of crime. There must be consequences for those who repeatedly offend, but there must also be opportunities for young people to turn their lives around.”
The proposed initiatives are being put forward as key safety priorities for the Nationals in regional Victoria.
