On behalf of the Victorian Government, I send my profound condolences directly to the families, friends and schoolmates of two children we lost to a senseless crime.
One was 15. One was just 12.
Crime hurts everyone in our community - but it hurts victims and their families the most.
Every Victorian is thinking of them and holding them close to their hearts.
I've spoken today with John Garang Kon, the Chair of the South Sudanese Community of Melton, and Richard Deng, the Chair of the South Sudanese Community of Wyndham.
I told them that we mourn with them following the loss of two children in a shocking and violent killing.
I told them we stand with them in their fight against the cancer of youth gang crime that is breaking their community's heart.
And I told them about the actions we are taking across the state.
Next, I want locals to bring local solutions to Government.
To hear firsthand, I am convening the Government's South Sudanese Australian Youth Justice Expert Working Group.
These meetings will take place in the community - and the Minister for Youth Justice, the Minister for Police and Victims and Victoria Police representatives will join.
Community leaders are enduring a profound sense of loss and pain.
The solutions to the fight against violent crime can't just be imposed upon the community. They must come from the community.
We will stand with them every step of the way to put an end to this scourge.
