Victoria’s youth crime crisis is impacting community safety with the latest Crime Statistics Agency confirming youth offending has increased by 20.5 per cent in Gippsland.
In March 2023 there were 1695 alleged offender incidents for youths aged between 10 – 17 years in Gippsland[1], by March 2024 this surged to 2043[2].
The Nationals are demanding the Allan Labor Government introduce reforms within the youth justice system and bolster police powers through legislative amendments.
The call to curb youth crime comes after Dr Ashley Gordon was fatally injured during a home invasion in January.
Dr Gordon’s Latrobe Valley family are demanding the state government crackdown on youth crime through their parliamentary petition that seeks greater ‘stop and search’ powers for police; a reinstatement of section 30B of the Bail Act; and a cancellation of plans to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14.
The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath said her experience sitting with and listening to Natalie, Dr Ashley Gordon’s sister and his extended family, with Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron was harrowing. It is abundantly clear something has to change.
“No-one should have to experience what the Gordon family has.
“The Allan Labor Government’s move to weaken bail offences for serious repeat offenders in March of this year, along with abolishing the offence of committing an indictable offence whilst on bail is reprehensible.
“One youth offender is breaching bail every three hours in Victoria.
“It is beyond frustrating for police who work hard to get youth offenders off the street, only for bail granted through the court.
“Victorian’s feel vulnerable, let down by the Allan Labor Government who is responsible for the bail laws passed by the Parliament.
“Labor cannot manage money, cannot manage youth crime and innocent Victorians are paying the price.”
Ms Bath is urging all Victorians who want action on Victoria’s youth crime crisis to sign the parliamentary petition launched by Dr Gordon’s family. The petition can be signed online at https://shorturl.at/5lxJJ
[1] incudes the LGA’s of Baw Baw, Bass Coast, South Gippsland, Latrobe, Wellington and East Gippsland
2 Crime Statistic Agency reporting period March 2023 – March 2024 report released June 2024
[1] incudes the LGA’s of Baw Baw, Bass Coast, South Gippsland, Latrobe, Wellington and East Gippsland
[2] Crime Statistic Agency reporting period March 2023 – March 2024 report released June 2024
