The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has confirmed what Victorians live everyday. That is, Victoria is the most lawless state in Australia.
Victoria has recorded increases of up to 58 per cent in the number of victims in eight out of 16 crime categories, including kidnapping/abduction, motor vehicle theft, armed robbery, and other offences including retail crime.
Leader of the Opposition, Brad Battin, said: "This is what happens when you underfund police, fail to have tough bail laws and drag the chain on banning machetes and dealing with retail crime.
"Today's data clearly demonstrates offenders believe it is their right to do whatever they want, whenever they want because there are no consequences.
"Only the Liberals and Nationals can deliver safer communities by introducing Break Bail, Face Jail, restoring police numbers, re-opening closed police stations and ensuring there are consequences for those who commit crime," Mr. Battin said.
The crime crisis revealed by the state Crime Statistics Agency in June has been confirmed by the latest ABS data, which shows:
• Motor vehicle theft: Victoria recorded the fastest growth in victims, with a 41 per cent increase (+6,547 victims) compared to any other state or territory.
• Unlawful entry with intent: The state also suffered the fastest growth in these victims, rising by 25 per cent (+9,243 victims), which was more than any other state or territory.
• Armed robbery: Victoria experienced the fastest growth in armed robbery victims compared to all other states.
• Kidnapping/abduction: Victoria was the second-worst state for kidnapping and abduction, with the number of victims increasing by 58 per cent.
• Ranking by crime growth rate: For the 16 selected offences tracked by the ABS, Victoria's percentage increase in victims ranked as follows:
o #1 fastest growth rate in eight offences.
o #2 fastest growth rate in four offences.
o #3 fastest growth rate in two offences.
o This places Victoria in the top three states for the fastest-growing crime rates in 14 of the 16 offences.
Shadow Minister for Police, David Southwick, said: "Victoria is the wild west of Australia. It is a free for all because of the Allan Labor Government's failure to protect the community with tougher laws and proper funding for enforcement.
"People are living in fear. They are being attacked with machetes at shopping centres and having their cars stolen sometimes with their children inside the vehicles.
"The crime crisis will only end with a change of government," Mr Southwick said.
