News

Police | August 01, 2017

Zero tolerance to fuel theft

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP has applauded today’s announcement by the Liberal and National Coalition that fuel drive-offs would be treated as a criminal matter under a Coalition Government from 1 July 2019.

“Stealing petrol is a crime,” Ms Kealy said.

“The Liberal and Nationals are determined to see a sense of safety returned to our communities, and treating fuel drive-offs as a criminal matter is another step in the right direction.

“Victorians will have a very clear choice at the next election - more of the ‘softly-softly’ approach on law and order from the Andrews Labor Government or a real crack down on violent crime and assault in our communities,” she said.

Key points of the Liberal and Nationals policy announced today include:

• Work with Victoria Police so that all fuel drive-offs with non-innocent, criminal intent will be treated as criminal theft offences and not as civil matters.
• Work with Victoria Police to recommit to the presumption that all fuel drive-offs are initially investigated as criminal offences
• A ‘zero-tolerance’ investigatory and enforcement regime to be established
• A Victoria Police centrally administered fuel drive-off/theft online reporting system to be introduced
• The establishment of an improved information sharing interface system or virtual ‘stolen plate clearing house’ between Victoria Police and VicRoads
• Work with industry to continue to implement improved security and video surveillance measures
• The establishment of a taskforce to oversee the implementation and ongoing effectiveness of these reforms.

“The Liberal and Nationals policy announcement today is another step in delivering long overdue legislative reform to address crime rates and restore honesty and respect in our communities”, Ms Kealy said.