The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad has once again called on the Allan Labor Government to take immediate and decisive action to address the alarming rise in crime.
Ms Broad said the latest data showed crime had jumped by 19 per cent across the state, and youth crime had surged by 33 per cent – rising to its highest level since records began in 1993.
Speaking in Parliament, Ms Broad highlighted the urgent need for stricter regulations and immediate enforcement to ensure the safety of the community.
“One year ago, I stood in this house speaking on the Firearms and Control of Weapons Machetes Amendment Bill 2024, which unfortunately did not go far enough,” Ms Broad said.
“In the last 12 months, there have been 265 aggravated burglaries in the state involving machetes. They been used in street fights, assaults, carjackings, aggravated burglaries, and home invasions.”
Ms Broad pointed out that nearly 15,000 knives, swords, daggers, and machetes were seized in Victoria in 2024, averaging 40 weapons per day.
Despite the introduction of the Terrorism (Community Protection) and Control of Weapons Amendment Bill 2024 at the end of last year, the ban on machetes was only introduced this year.
“When it comes to crime, the Labor State Government has been too slow to act, and local residents are frustrated as crime has continued to skyrocket.
“The Premier has been slow to ban machetes, slow with tobacco licensing, and slow with bail reform,” Ms Broad said. The community’s frustration is palpable, with protests in front of the Premier’s office and crime rates skyrocketing in Bendigo.
“Stealing from retail stores has doubled, aggravated robbery is up 69%, residential aggravated burglary has risen by 89%, and motor vehicle thefts are up 50%. People are living in fear and have had enough. We need to make our streets safer, our homes safer, and our community feel safe again.” Ms Broad said.
The Nationals and Liberals proposed amendments to bring forward the start date of the machete ban by three months and to immediately ban the sale of machetes, with exemptions for valid purposes.
Ms Broad said, “The bail reforms introduced last week are still weaker than they were 12 months ago.”
Ms Broad also called for comprehensive bail reform as well as action on the 1000 vacancies in the police force, drug issues, and rehabilitation, job training, and placement programs to help break the cycle of crime. “The community wants to see action, and a greater focus on addressing the root causes of crime.”
To view Ms Broad’s recent parliamentary contribution on crime, visit the following link: https://youtu.be/RHKnhG5ZmyY
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
