A Nationals and Liberals Government will support Victoria Police to strengthen its Farm Crime Squad as part of a plan to recruit 3000 more additional Victoria Police officers.
Under Labor, Victoria’s Farm Crime Unit has been reduced to just a couple of dedicated officers covering the entire state, and as a result the number of farm crimes has skyrocketed.
“It’s reached a point where stock and fuel theft is occurring almost daily,” Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Emma Kealy said.
“These thefts strike at the heart of family farms, where margins are tight and trust runs deep. Unsurprisingly, Labor has turned a blind eye.”
Livestock theft alone is costing the sector millions each year, while high diesel prices have made on-farm fuel supplies an attractive target.
So forgotten is the Farm Crime Squad by the Allan Government, that Labor is even relying on interstate support for specialist capabilities such as DNA testing in stock theft cases.
It’s an embarrassing position and one that reflects years of neglect.
“A reinvigorated Farm Crime Squad, backed by more officers on the ground, will send a clear message that rural communities matter and their safety matters,” Ms Kealy said.
“Dedicated officers bring an understanding of rural environments, livestock systems and the patterns of offending unique to agricultural communities. That translates into smarter, intelligence-led policing, better co-ordination across regions and a visible presence that acts as a deterrent.
“Farms are both workplaces and homes, and no Victorian should feel unsafe on their own land, just as no police officer should be left carrying the burden of under-resourcing when they are doing their best with what they have.
“Rebuilding a properly resourced specialist farm crime unit will make a tangible difference in protecting our farms and farming families.”
Only The Nationals and Liberals have a plan to crack down on crime and prioritise community safety in regional Victoria.