Media Releases

Today in Parliament, the Nationals Member for Lowan, Hugh Delahunty, condemned the Brumby government for it’s soft on crime approach.

“This issue has recently been highlighted by two separate issues in my electorate,” Mr. Delahunty said.

“The first is the Hindmarsh Shire Council looking at installing security cameras to curb antisocial behaviour in Nhill – a great town - following a number in incidents in the CBD such as a large snatch and grab burglary, smashed shop windows and damage to street signs.

“The other is a street brawl that happened in Hamilton on the weekend. Four police were completely overwhelmed by back to back violent brawls involving up to 80 people.”

Mr Delahunty said that a Liberal/National Coalition government will not tolerate crime, violence or anti-social behaviour.

“Victorian families have a right to feel safe and secure in their community but under John Brumby, assaults, and anti-social behaviour have reached record levels on our streets, with violent crime rising by 40 per cent and assaults increasing by 70 percent,” he said.

Mr. Delahunty said that the people of Victoria are supporting the Liberal/National Coalition’s policy which targets not only liquor licensees who continue to break the law, but also patrons.

“Under our policy licensees who do the right thing by ordering drunk, violent or quarrelsome patrons from their venues will be backed up by tough sanctions if their or police instructions are ignored.

“We will double the penalty for failing to leave a licensed premises and introduce a new law making it an offence to remain on the footpath or adjacent area from where a person has been required to leave or refused entry and another new law making it an offence to re-enter a premises they have been required to leave within 24 hours.”

“Not only does Victoria require more police, Victoria needs tougher laws to deal with drunk and anti-social behaviour similar to what has happened in Hamilton on the weekend,” he said.

“Law and order has not been a priority of the Brumby Government, but it will be a priority of the Liberal/Nationals Coalition, because Victorians have a right to expect to be protected,” Mr. Delahunty said.