The Allan Labor government's belated announcement of so-called 'post and boast' laws is another example of its failure to keep Victorians safe.
Despite repeated calls from the Liberals and Nationals since early 2024, Premier Allan insisted there was no need for this type of legislation.
As recently as January, Opposition Leader Brad Battin urged the Labor Government to act on this very issue. While every other state was moving to crack down on offenders using social media to glorify criminal behaviour, Victorian Labor stood still, denying action was necessary.
Now, almost 18 months since we first raised the alarm and with Victoria falling further behind the rest of the nation the Allan Labor Government has finally announced legislation. But even this belated response won't come into effect for months.
With youth offending at record rates in Victoria, the need to stamp out the use of social media to promote and glorify serious crime has never been greater.
Shadow Attorney-General Michael O'Brien said: "Too many Victorians who are victims of serious offending have had insult added to injury by perpetrators bragging about their crimes online."
"Once again, Labor first denied there was a problem then delayed addressing it, only to be dragged kicking and screaming to act.
"Labor's strategy of deny, delay, and get dragged shows that they cannot be trusted with keeping Victorians safe.
"Labor did it with weak bail laws. Labor did it with banning machetes. Now Labor is doing it with 'post and boast' offending.
"When it comes to tackling crime, Labor gets it too wrong for too long.
"Victorians deserve better than 'deny, delay and drag'. It's no way to protect community safety."
