By TOM HAYES
THE recent crime spike across Victoria has raised alarming concerns, as repeat offenders are granted bail and youth crime becomes more common.
In late February, following a stabbing on Morwell’s Commercial Road, the offender, facing four charges, was released on bail until their next court hearing in May.
A month earlier in late January, a 91-year-old Morwell man was found dead in his home, after his house on Maryvale Road was broken into by a man on bail, who was later found by police with the victim’s belongings.
Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron has called for urgent action.
Speaking in State Parliament, an emotional Mr Cameron said Labor’s commitment to review its 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 (Latrobe) Valley, but the enormity of the problems facing the Morwell CBD must be addressed as a matter of urgency,” Mr Cameron said.
“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.”
Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath also spoke on the safety of locals, who do not feel safe due to the rise of violent crimes.
“New South Wales and Queensland governments have acted by introducing stronger laws to combat knife crime, yet Labor continues to ignore the issue,” she said.
“Despite the best efforts of local police members, we are seeing escalating crime rates in our regional towns, often fuelled by alcohol and drug addictions.”
Mr Cameron expressed his own frustrations of the situation developing in Morwell, mentioning he “can no longer in good conscience even allow my staff to walk to the post office to collect mail” – a walk of less than 10 minutes from George Street, past Commercial Rd, under the train line and to the post office on Princes Drive.
“People are scared. We can no longer walk the streets, in what should be a safe place, because antisocial behaviour is completely out of control,” he added.
“I am under no illusions that this is a very complex and multi-faceted issue and there are many other contributing 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.”
The state government labelled the behaviour “appalling”, stating that changes to laws are coming.
“Victoria Police are out 24/7 holding offenders to account – backed by a record $4.5 billion investment, new powers, and new laws that deliver tougher consequences for serious, repeat offenders which are already making a difference,” a state government spokesperson said.
“It’s not acceptable that there are still too many Victorians who don’t feel safe. Our laws need to be changed – and they will be.
“The Attorney-General (Sonya Kilkenny) and Minister for Police (Anthony Carbines) are working with Victoria Police and the Department of Justice and Community Safety on changes to our laws to keep people safe – including strengthening bail.
“Everyone has the right to live and work safely and anyone who endangers that right must feel the consequences.”
Staying local, of the 3600 additional police funded by the state government, 110 were allocated to the Morwell Division, which includes 23 family violence specialist police.
Across the state, it appears similar events are re-occurring, after a magistrate bailed a 15-year-old who invaded a Brighton home, stole a car, and forced the police to engage in a police chase with speeds of up to 240km/h in late January.
The magistrate who granted the 15-year-old’s bail admitted that “the public will be going ‘why is he given bail again?'”, the Herald Sun reported.
Even a 13-year-old was released on bail for a second time, just 12 days after his first release, after threatening two women with a knife during a carjacking in February.
“Communities in every corner of the state, people across the political divide, our police officers, our first responders – we have all had enough,” Mr Cameron said.
“For far too long Labor’s weakened bail laws and soft approach on crime have favoured repeat offenders while eroding our sense of safety, and that must change.
“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.”
Victoria Police are currently recruiting officers, as it was stated during its protected industrial action that they had more than 1000 vacancies and hundreds on sick leave, with resignations greater than recruits.
Due to the hole needed to fill, Victoria Police loosened the requirements needed to become a police officer. Now, applicants with an ATAR of 65 or over and an English study score of 25 or over will not be required to sit the entrance exam.
“These changes will remove the first barrier for eligible applicants and will fast-track the recruitment process,” Acting Chief Commissioner, Rick Nugent said.
There is no minimum ATAR, study score, or education level required to apply at Victoria Police.
Former footballer turned radio personality Brendan Fevola and Fox FM co-host Fifi Box launched a petition on change.org named ‘Bring on Bail Reform for Repeat Offenders in Victoria’, with the petition surpassing 100,000 signatures in one week.
The petition is the most signed on the platform so far in 2025, with only 0.02 per cent of petitions on change.org reaching the 100,000 signature milestone.
THE Nationals have also called on the state government to get tough on knife crime.
The call comes after a recent listening post by Ms Bath and Mr Cameron with Morwell CBD traders, who said knife crime and surging antisocial behaviour was a top concern.
“The number one issue raised by Morwell small business owners is increasing crime and how it is turning away shoppers and making workers feel vulnerable,” Mr Cameron said.
“Labor is leaving Victorians to fend for themselves, while dangerous knives remain readily available on our streets.”
Ms Bath said the state government must do more to get knives off the street and better manage drug and alcohol addiction.
“As the backbone of our towns, local traders have highlighted the need for more police resources, stronger bail laws and a strong approach to anti-social behaviour on our streets,” she said.
