New figures just released show crime is still a major issue for residents of Bendigo and Northern Victoria.
The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad raised the issue in Parliament this week.
Ms Broad said Labor had completely failed to address crime in the community.
Victorians are less safe than ever before as Crime Statistics Agency data confirms criminal offending has reached a new all-time high under Labor.
Across the state, a total of 630,592 crimes were committed – the equivalent of one crime every 50 seconds. Motor vehicle theft increased by 11 per cent – the equivalent of one care stolen every 16.4 minutes.
Under Labor, 286,329 crimes remain unsolved – almost half of all recorded offences and a 15 per cent increase over the past year.
The statistics showed the following increases in Greater Bendigo since December 2024:
- Aggravated robbery – up 13 per cent
- Family violence serious assault – up 32 per cent
- Non-family violence serious assault – up 6 per cent
- Total serious assault – up 19 per cent
- Prohibited weapons offences – up 34 per cent
Overall crime has risen in some other local government areas across Northern Victoria, including Murrindindi (up 38%), Swan Hill (up 14%), Alpine (up 34%), Greater Shepparton (up 3%), Loddon (up 3%), Moorabool (up 35%), Mount Alexander (up 15%) and Yarra Ranges (up 5%).
“Since Jacinta Allan became Premier we’ve seen over 1500 vacancies on police rosters, more than 40 stations are closed or operating on reduced hours and PSOs are to be stripped from 120 train stations. Bail laws are weaker than they were in 2023,” Ms Broad said.
In May 2025, the State Labor Government reduced funding by almost $50 million to Victoria Police as net debt continues to grow by $1.7 million an hour and is expected to reach a record $192.6 billion by 2028-29.
Ms Broad said a Liberal and Nationals government would make sure bail and sentencing laws reflected community expectations.
If elected a Liberal and Nationals government will:
- Reinstate bail offence laws – Break bail, face jail.
- Implement Jack’s Law, allowing police to take deadly weapons off our streets;
- Ban criminals from government projects; and
- Target crime bosses with tough new laws.
“Labor is soft on crime and failing to keep our communities safe. They can’t manage money and every Victorian is paying the price.”
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
