Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, yesterday attacked the Brumby Government in Parliament over the lack of available police officers in rural Victoria.
“The issue of community safety and concerns about a lack of police services are not limited to Melbourne and large regional cities,” Mr Walsh said.
“Pyramid Hill is a one-man police station which not had an officer since late last year and the community is still unaware of when that position will be filled,” he said.
“A recent incident in the community highlighted the residents concerns about a lack of a police presence in the town.
“An unknown, intoxicated and possibly drug affected man entered the Pyramid Hotel. When he was refused service and asked to leave he went on a rampage abusing staff and patrons in the dining room of the hotel.
“In the process he smashed a glass door and showered diners and their families with glass.
“The hotel management, fearing for the safety of patrons and staff rang the emergency 000 number only to be informed that there were no police available in the area to assist.
“As a result, for the rest of the night the hotel management were left fearing the return of the individual and the possibility of a number of potentially disastrous scenarios if that was to happen.
“Through no fault of his own, and despite operating a very well managed and family orientated establishment in a small community and now paying an exorbitant liquor licensing fee so that these sorts of issues can be addressed, this publican and the community of Pyramid Hill have been left to ‘hang out to dry’ due to a lack of adequate police numbers in the region.
“Instead of hiding behind a veneer of political spin it is time the Brumby Government addressed the issues of police staffing in country Victoria and ensured that there are enough police to meet the emergency needs of country residents,” Mr Walsh said.
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