Keeping holidaymakers safe

Victoria has some of the best holiday locations in the world. From the beaches of Lorne, Apollo Bay and Torquay, to the lakes of Gippsland. From the beautiful Murray River, to the snowfields at Falls Creek — Victoria has it all.

Unfortunately, the experiences of the holiday makers and locals can be ruined by the increase of anti-social behaviour, alcohol and drug fuelled violence and theft as the population of these small towns swell during the holiday season.

Moreover with the rise in population comes increased traffic congestion and longer travel times when police are responding to calls for assistance. That’s why the Liberal Nationals will work with Victoria Police and the Chief Commissioner to ensure that police resources are appropriately allocated to police stations during busy holiday periods.

Daniel Andrews has lost control of crime across Victoria, and holiday destinations are no different.

According to The Police Association, frontline police numbers have been cut by 190 since 2013 despite population increasing by more than 500,000 and many busy holiday destinations have paid the price.

Some of the areas most affected by inadequate policing services, at times of dramatically increased holiday period populations include:

• ·         Cowes and San Remo (Phillip Island);
• ·         Lakes Entrance, Metung, Paynesville (The Lakes);
• ·         Lorne, Apollo Bay & Torquay (Surf Coast);
• ·         Rosebud, Rye, Sorrento, Portsea (Mornington Peninsula);
• ·         Tocumwal, Cobram, Yarrawonga, Corowa, Echuca, Swan Hill, Mildura & other (Murray River holiday spots); and
• ·         Mount Buller, Falls Creek, Mount Hotham and Bright (Alpine Resort towns during the Ski Season).

This announcement builds on the Liberal Nationals’ commitment to increase safety along the Bellarine Peninsula with a new police station at Leopold and to work with Victoria Police to see Torquay Police Station open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Police, Edward O’Donohue:

“Under Daniel Andrews, police numbers have been cut by 190 since 2013 according to The Police Association, leaving many holiday spots across the state with a shortage of police when they are needed the most.

Many regional holiday communities tell me that they need more police resources at crucial times of peak demand, particularly during the Christmas/New Year summer holiday period and Easter.”

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