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The Swan Hill Electorate will benefit from more police under a Victorian Coalition Government plan to revolutionise policing and public safety by boosting frontline police by 1,600 in the first term of government, Nationals Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, announced today.
Mr Walsh said the $344 million “Making Our Streets Safe Again” plan would end chronic police shortages and restore public safety.
“More police are needed across regional Victoria to fill staff shortages that have arisen due to Brumby government inaction over the past decade,” he said.
“This unprecedented investment in policing will see a dramatic increase in frontline police across Victoria, and it will go a long way in helping our community achieve a reduction in crime.
“The Swan Hill electorate is fortunate to have a dedicated and community minded police force that does a fantastic job under very difficult circumstances, but we do not have the number of frontline officers needed to properly protect communities against crime.
“It is a basic responsibility of government to protect its citizens. John Brumby has failed this test. Law and order has not been a priority of the Brumby Government, but it will be a priority of a Victorian Liberal Nationals Government. Victorians have a right to expect to be protected.
“Victoria has the fewest frontline police per capita and spends less on police resourcing per capita than any other state in Australia.”
Mr Walsh said the Coalition would provide $344 million over four years to fund an additional 1,600 police, plus an additional $65 million capital allocation for operational equipment. The package includes $8 million for expanded training facilities and staff at the Police Academy.
“This announcement is part of an integrated plan to stop and reverse the culture of violence and growing levels of crime in Victoria. A significant increase in frontline police is crucial to all of these initiatives,” he said.
“Victoria Police have some of the best police officers in the nation but Victoria does not have the number of frontline officers needed to properly protect communities against record levels of violent crime.
“The Liberals and Nationals are listening to Victorian communities and will deliver the police required to make sure families can feel safe again on the streets, on public transport and in their own homes.
“This announcement is part of an integrated plan to stop and reverse the culture of violence and growing levels of crime in Victoria. A significant increase in frontline police is crucial to all of these initiatives,” Mr Walsh said.