News

Roads Police | July 17, 2019

Regional Victorian’s safety not a priority for Daniel Andrews

The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy says figures recently released by the Victorian Police Association highlight that regional Victorians are not getting their fair share of new police resources under Daniel Andrews.

The figures show that of the 900 new police allocated over the past three years, only 77 officers or around 8.6 per cent have gone to regional Victoria.

This paltry allocation of new officers to regional Victoria comes as the latest independent crime statistics agency data confirm an alarming rise in total offences in the following local government areas since Daniel Andrews was elected in 2014:

• Ararat Rural City Council – 40.63 per cent
• Hindmarsh Shire Council – 50.88 per cent
• Horsham Rural City Council – 20.13 per cent
• Southern Grampians Shire Council – 65.16 per cent
• Yarriambiack Shire Council – 18.87 per cent

“Our local police go above and beyond to keep our communities safe but Labor’s city-centric agenda is seeing any extra police resources focused in Melbourne,” Ms Kealy said.

“Our local police do an amazing job keeping our communities safe, but under Labor there has been an alarming increase in crime in many of our local government areas with no increase in resourcing to meet the policing needs of our communities.

“With Victoria’s rural road toll currently 80% higher than last year, fewer police numbers in rural areas translates to less road policing and safety when Victorians need it most.

“There are no second chances when it comes to road safety and for every week the government fails to provide police with the resources they need, more lives are being placed at risk.

“When it comes to the safety of regional Victorians, Daniel Andrews has left local police and local communities to fend for themselves.

“Daniel Andrews needs to look beyond Melbourne and ensure regional Victoria is getting its fair share of police resources to keep our rural communities safe.”