General News
9 October, 2025
State must combat crime, MP says
MEMBER for South West Coast Roma Britnell has slammed the Victorian Government after new statistics highlighted a surge in crime.
Ms Britnell said the latest Crime Statistics Agency figures “paint a damning picture of the Allan Labor Government’s failure to protect regional Victorians”.
Among the eye-opening figures was a 167 per cent rise in residential aggravated burglary and a 42 per cent increase in serious assaults in Moyne Shire.
Ms Britnell said seeing 30 per cent of crimes remain unsolved reflected the sentiments she was hearing from the community, with residents feeling crime is out of control and there is no justice even when criminals are caught.
“These figures confirm what I’ve been hearing from residents, shopkeepers and frontline police officers for months,” she said.
“Crime is out of control and the Allan Labor Government is doing nothing to stop it.
“Police are burnt out, under-resourced and unsupported.
“Offenders know they’ll be released almost immediately.
“There is no deterrent, no justice, and no leadership.”
Ms Britnell said the increase in crime was a result of government failure, stating underfunding and police vacancies had created a system which was “broken”.
“Police tell me they’re doing the best they can and I believe them, because they’re not just officers they’re our neighbours,” she said.
“Despite having their operating budgets slashed, some local stations are resorting to doing their own gardening just to maintain basic standards.
“It’s a stark reminder of how stretched our frontline services have become under this government.
“We’ve lived in our communities confident of our safety for as long as I can remember.
“Many of us were not even locking our doors.”
Ms Britnell said she believed community safety could be heightened under Coalition policy.
“We know we can return to safety, and turn this situation around,” she said.
“We just need a supportive government to show leadership to strengthen laws – only the Liberals and Nationals will cut crime with our $100 million Safer Communities Plan which will get weapons off our streets and young offenders back on track.
“Our communities deserve better.
“They deserve safety, justice and a government that listens.
“I will continue to fight for the people of South West Coast and demand action from a government that continues to fail us all.”