Building on a record 3,135 new frontline officers, the Victorian Budget 2018/19 delivers the powers, tools and technology that Victoria Police need to keep our state safe.
Following the release of the latest Community Safety Statement, the Budget invests $289 million to keep communities safe, crackdown on serious and organised crime, and strengthen the justice system.
To ensure offenders are held to account, $97 million will fund new police prosecutors and extra staff to support the establishment of the new Bail and Remand Court and meet demand in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
The safety and security of Melbourne’s CBD will be further strengthened, with $41 million to progress the latest rollout of security measures, including more bollards and other protective measures.
The Budget also includes:
- $24 million for new investigators and technology to target serious and organised crime online, disrupting drugs and firearm trafficking syndicates, money laundering and child exploitation networks
- $26 million to get dangerous drivers off our roads and reduce road trauma by increasing roadside drug testing by a further 50,000 drug tests per year
- $41 million to rebuild the Melbourne East Police Station, providing a new fit-for-purpose building in Melbourne’s CBD and supporting police operations and patrols across the city. This also includes funds to search for and acquire land for a new police station in the Point Cook area
- $25 million to deliver a range of community-led crime prevention programs targeting youth crime, new public safety infrastructure like CCTV and lighting, support for Crime Stoppers, Neighbourhood Watch and the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council
- $25 million for training and deployment of additional longarm firearms for Melbourne and regional police officers
- $5 million for specialist mobile policing units to tackle crime when and where it happens
Unlike the previous Liberal Government which cut funding to our state’s police force, the Labor Government is delivering the biggest increase in personnel, powers and capability in Victoria Police’s history.
Since the Andrews Labor Government came to power, the Victoria Police budget has grown by more than a third, and over the next 12 months, Victorians can expect to see 825 extra police hitting the beat, across our state.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Police Lisa Neville
“We’re making sure police have everything they need – the powers, the equipment and the technology – to tackle serious and organised crime, and to keep us safe.”
“More police prosecutors will ensure offenders are held to account, while our comprehensive plan will deliver more police, protection and prevention across our state.”
“We’re cracking down on crime, but we also want to prevent it from happening in the first place. It’s why this Budget includes new investments to help local communities find local solutions.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020