The Andrews Labor Government still is not listening to farmers across the Murray Plains electorate and is missing another opportunity to employ dedicated frontline police officers to tackle rural crime.
The Andrews Government announced the Farm Crime Co-ordination Unit this week, but despite Labor’s claim it has created 70 new positions, in reality it has offered no additional resources, instead just rebranding the existing Agricultural Liaison Officers (AGLOs).
Victorian farmers have been calling for a dedicated rural crime squad to better protect their family, business and livelihood from rural crime but the Andrews Government just isn’t listening.
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said changing a job title won’t help Victorian farmers.
“Daniel Andrews has once again demonstrated why he is Premier for Melbourne, failing to properly tackle worsening rural crime and protect our farmers,” Mr Walsh said.
“Without a commitment from the Government for new frontline roles and a dedicated, specialist rural crime unit, this is just Labor shuffling the deck chairs.
“The devil’s always in the detail with Daniel Andrews and once you look closely at this announcement if falls well short of what our farmers have been calling for.”
Mr Walsh said The Nationals announced plans for a Livestock and Rural Crime Squad before the 2018 State Election, which would see additional police officers employed who were dedicated to solving rural crime.
“At the time, the Andrews Government rubbished the idea of a dedicated rural crime squad – clearly it still isn’t listening.”
