The Liberals and Nationals support Victorian police and their call for tougher action on the state's crime crisis.
Our brave police are at the frontline of Victoria's crime crisis, putting their own lives in danger and dealing with the tragic human consequences of crime.
We support the comments of Detective Inspector Graham Banks and call on the Allan Labor Government to act on his warnings.
Following the horrific double murderer in Cobblebank on the weekend, Detective Inspector Banks said:
"The policing position's always been that there needs to be a strong deterrent for this type of behaviour, for carrying weapons, for people who break into homes with weapons, for people who carjack, for people who assault people with weapons. Whether that balance is right is really a matter for the community and the courts and ultimately the government.
"But as I stand here before you, I think the penalties aren't in balance with what community expectations are or mine.
"You really can't imagine how we got to this stage as a society."
Victorian Opposition Brad Battin said:
"We agree with Detective Inspector Banks. Victorians don't feel safe in their own homes, and over the weekend two young boys were stabbed to death and another man was shot on our streets.
"Jacinta Allan has no plan to deal with Victoria's crime crisis.
"Only the Liberals and Nationals will deliver the changes to make Victorians safe.
"We will introduce Break Bail, Face Jail, ensuring there are consequences for violent crimes.
"We'll restore police funding and bring back move-on powers.
"Victorians are paying $20 million a day to cover the interest on Labor's debt, that's money that should be spent on more police. Instead Jacinta Allan cut $50 million from the police budget and left 1100 police jobs vacant."
Shadow Police Minister David Southwick said:
"Violent gangs are ruling our streets and taking innocent lives. This is not community safety, it's neglect."
"Labor's cuts have left police without the resources and powers they need to keep Victorians safe. We need leadership, not excuses, and tougher laws that send a clear message: enough is enough."
