East Gippslanders and regional Victorian communities are growing increasingly frustrated by a justice system failing to deter repeat offenders, according to local Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, and Nationals candidate Gemma Rendell.
The political pair stated that the Coalition has developed a comprehensive plan to address the issue, focused on increasing frontline police visibility, tightening bail laws, and expanding youth diversion pathways.
“Our plan is based around putting more police on the streets, introducing tougher consequences for repeat offenders and providing pathways and support for those who genuinely want to get their lives back on track,” Mr Bull said.
“People have a right to feel safe in their own homes, their workplaces and their communities, but increasingly they do not. Our police do a great job but are stretched by being thin on the ground. We currently have more than 2000 police vacancies across Victoria, and that leaves significant gaps that criminals are exploiting.”
Mr Bull noted the operational strain is being felt heavily across regional outposts, pointing to shifting station hours as a key indicator of the shortfall.
“We now have more than 40 police stations that are either closed or operating on reduced opening hours, including Lakes Entrance,” Mr Bull said.
“Victorians are rightly asking how we have reached a point where police are under such pressure while crime continues to rise.”
The lack of meaningful legal ramifications for persistent youth offenders remains a central concern, according to Ms Rendell.
“Too often, repeat youth offenders are receiving little more than a slap on the wrist before being released to offend again,” Ms Rendell said.
“The message this sends is that there are few consequences for breaking the law, and it is communities and victims who are bearing the cost.”
Under the proposed policy platform, a future Coalition government pledges to execute a four-pronged strategy:
– Frontline recruitment: Fund and recruit 3,000 new police officers to bolster community safety numbers.
– Bail reform: Introduce ‘Break Bail, Face Jail’ legislation to ensure immediate penalties for offenders who breach bail conditions.
– Sentencing adjustments: Implement ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time’ measures, ensuring serious offenders face penalties matching the severity of their actions regardless of age.
– Early intervention: Deliver targeted funding to youth diversion programs aimed at addressing the root causes of criminal behaviour before offending patterns become entrenched.
Mr Bull emphasised that the strategy is designed to balance strict enforcement with rehabilitation.
“This is not about being tough for the sake of it,” Mr Bull said.
“It is about restoring accountability while also investing in programs that steer young people away from a life of crime. There must be consequences for those who repeatedly offend, but there must also be opportunities for young people to turn their lives around.”
