As safety concerns spike in the wake of a stabbing last week, The Nationals’ Member for Morwell Martin Cameron has called for action on the crime wave sweeping regional Victoria.
Speaking in State Parliament, Mr Cameron said Labor’s vague commitment to review its archaic bail laws was “nowhere near enough” to address the crisis.
“I am loathed to feed into parochialism or single out any one town in the Valley, but the enormity of the problems facing the Morwell CBD must be addressed as a matter of urgency,” Mr Cameron said.
“Last week there was a stabbing on Commercial Road, and four weeks ago 91-year-old Harry Wright was killed inside his own home.
“Speaking with businesses last week, owners are so scared for the welfare of their staff they are locking their doors, having to escort staff to their cars, or closing and leaving town altogether.
“I can no longer in good conscience even allow my staff to walk to the post office to collect mail.
“People are scared. We can no longer walk the streets, in what should be a safe place, because anti-social and criminal behaviour is completely out of control.
“I am under no illusions that this is a very complex and multi-faceted issue and there are many other contributing societal factors at play when it comes to crime.
“But a line in the sand has been drawn, and it was drawn a long time ago.
“Communities in every corner of the state, people across the political divide, our police officers, our first responders – we have all had enough.
“It is incumbent on us in this place to do what we were elected to do and make change when we have the power to do so.
“In addition to stronger bail laws we need more police on the beat, and we need Protective Services Officers (PSOs) at all train stations – not just those in Melbourne.”
“It is time for real leadership and real action from this government – now.”
