Labor Delivers What We Need To Keep Victorians Safe

The Allan Labor Government is investing to keep Victorians safe.

Victoria has the most police in Australia, the nation’s toughest bail laws and a nation-first Violence Reduction Unit.

The Victorian Budget 2026/27 continues to back police, the justice system and emergency services with $1.7 billion – building on Labor’s strong record.

Backing Victoria Police and putting more officers on the beat

We want more officers out from behind the desk on the streets where the crime is.

We’re boosting police resources even further, with $44 million in this year’s Budget to deliver 50 additional PSOs.

It also includes $62 million to recruit up to 200 reservists for administrative duties.

This will free up frontline officers – putting more police back in the community where they’re needed most.

This builds on the $6.5 million to extend the trial of PSOs at shopping centres until the end of the year.

A $138 million boost will deliver new equipment and resources for frontline officers.

This will give police what they need to keep Victorians safe.

This includes $35 million for 3,000 mobile devices for specialist police and to upgrade digital evidence capture technology.

Responding to the increase of cybercrime, $7.1 million will support police investigations and prosecutions.

Our police and PSOs are there when we need them most and are exposed to trauma on the frontline.

That’s why $1.6 million will be invested to deliver specialist psychological and counselling support through BlueHub.

The Government continues to crack down on any form of hatred, bigotry and extremism.

The Budget delivers $4.4 million to continue critical work protecting Victorians from violent extremism.

It includes $38.4 million to upgrade firearms licensing systems – so Victoria is ready for the national firearms register and dangerous weapons stay out of the wrong hands.

We’ll continue to smoke out illicit tobacco with $13 million to almost triple the number of inspectors and support tough new shop closure powers.

Supporting courts to deliver consequences faster

With bail refusals and revocations at record highs, the Budget is investing in the courts to deliver justice sooner.

Cases will be heard faster – keeping Victorians safer.

$117 million funds a specialised, fast-tracked youth court list in the County Court – backing our Adult Time for Violent Crime laws and delivering serious consequences for violent offenders.

Nearly $10 million will go towards upgrading police custodial cells and support better custodial medical capacity.

We’ll also invest $125 million to open 40 new forensic mental health beds at Thomas Embling Hospital.

The Budget includes nearly $11 million to maintain court facilities and nearly $4 million to support prosecutors to resolve County Court cases faster.

More than $7 million will fund more police prosecutions at the new Wyndham Law Courts, which is already delivering better access to justice in our growing west.

Intervening early and supporting frontline legal services

Violent youth crime is hurting families, kids and workers. We’re ensuring there are serious consequences.

But we know it’s better to stop crime before it starts.

Our nation-leading Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) shows that violence is preventable – not inevitable.

The Budget backs more community-based pathways away from youth crime with over $44 million for the VRU and other programs.

We’re backing the VRU with $33 million to deliver local initiatives which tackle the root causes of violent youth crime through targeted, preventative measures.

This includes $3.7 million for the VRU to pilot a New York-based violence prevention initiative here in Melbourne, to steer young people away from violence.

Almost $15 million will continue to fund early intervention supports for children and young people to keep them in the education system and reduce potential contact with the justice system.

It will also deliver new pathways to help divert some children away from the justice system before they’re charged.

An additional $5.5 million will implement recommendations from the South Sudanese Australian Youth Justice Expert Working Group’s report, including to plan for a dedicated community hub.

An extra $9.5 million will go towards Blue Light Victoria for one-on-one mentoring support for children and early intervention programs.

We know Aboriginal Victorians are over-represented in the justice system.

To help address this, $8.1 million will go towards supporting Ngarra Jarranounith Place Residential Diversion Program and Aboriginal Community Justice Panels.

Another $7.8 million will establish a dedicated Koori Hearing List at the Melbourne Magistrates Court to deliver culturally appropriate case management for First Nations accused.

The Budget provides $42 million for programs that help those in custody connect with family and rehabilitate.

One example is the Maribyrnong Community Residential Facility, which provides housing and support for men leaving prison.

We are also investing in the women mentoring program, steering more at-risk women away from crime.

Community service organisations will receive $32.5 million for their essential services to vulnerable Victorians.

The Budget includes $10 million for Victoria Legal Aid’s Help Before Court Program and Independent Family Advocacy and Support service – helping to finalise legal matters faster.

It will also fund Victoria’s specialist LGBTIQA+ legal services through Q+Law.

We’ll continue to support victims of crime to get the help they need to deal with the trauma they’ve gone through.

The Financial Assistance Scheme will get an $8.7 million boost, $6.3 million will be provided to the Victims Legal Service and $2.5 million for the Victims of Crime Commissioner.

Addressing family violence and keeping children safe

Every child deserves to be safe where they live, learn and play.

This Budget delivers $362 million to help protect and support Victoria’s most vulnerable children and young people.

Funding of $71 million will support children in the child protection and out-of-home care system.

This includes funding for the St Kilda Gatehouse Young Women’s Program and continuing the Child Protection Family Law Program.

More than $160 million will continue intensive family support services, allowing at-risk children to remain at home safely.

This will also expand the Family Preservation and Reunification Program and continue early intervention services, including support for children at risk of engaging with the justice system.

Sharing information is crucial to making sure children are safe.

The Budget includes $126 million to modernise the digital systems that support services for at-risk children, young people and families.

This includes funding to design the future case management system for child protection.

The Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority will keep children safe in childcare settings with more than $26 million.

This Budget delivers $100 million to continue Labor’s nation-leading work in preventing family violence.

This includes delivering refuges and crisis accommodation and expanding the Personal Safety Initiative.

More than $23 million will continue the work of the Central Information Point, sharing information between agencies about perpetrators.

Sexual Assault Services Victoria will receive $2.2 million to promote recovery and the rights of victim survivors.

Backing our emergency services and supporting recovery

Victoria is one of the most fire-prone areas in the world and natural disasters are becoming more frequent and severe.

Our emergency services are the best at what they do and we’re making sure they have what they need to keep Victorians safe.

The Budget ensures our firefighting fleet is strong with $100 million for new CFA tankers and pumpers.

It also includes $26.2 million for CFA station builds, planning, land acquisition and upgrades at Lakes Entrance, Barongarook West, Charlton, Nar Nar Goon, Beveridge, Dereel, Mirboo North, Kingston, Woodvale and Yarrambat.

We’re funding more support clinicians for volunteers, improving training and providing new protective gear with $22.4 million.

Fire Rescue Victoria will receive a $10 million boost to their existing rolling fleet replacement program for a new fireboat, heavy pumpers and ultra large pumpers.

We’re also investing $6.3 million for safer and more inclusive fire stations for FRV and $36 million for information systems upgrades.

A $217 million investment will boost firefighting capability and preparedness.

This includes the eyes in the sky aviation firefighting fleet, forest firefighting vehicles, more planned burning and fuel management and radio communications.

The Budget also includes $17.4 million for new VICSES facilities at Port Philip and Corio and to purchase land for the VICSES Whitehorse unit.

An additional $3.6 million will operationalise brand-new VICSES Units at Kalkallo and Devon Meadows.

Fast and accurate information in a disaster saves lives.

The Budget includes $9.3 million to make sure our emergency alert system keeps Victorians safe and informed.

Victorians devastated by this summer’s fires are being supported with more than $400 million, in partnership with the Commonwealth, to clean up, recover and rebuild.

Triple Zero Victoria continues to experience growing demand, answering a call for help every 10 seconds last year.

The Budget includes $101.9 million to upgrade its telephone infrastructure to meet this demand.

To keep Victorians safe around water, $7 million will include support for Life Saving Victoria, including to continue water rescues and helicopter and drone patrols.

Another $4.2 million will replace marine and rescue search vessels at Torquay and Port Welshpool.

This Budget is investing to keep Victorians safe and stop crime before it starts.

Quote attributable to Attorney-General and Minister for Violence Reduction Sonya Kilkenny

“This Budget means those who break the law face serious consequences, our courts have the resources to deliver them and we stop crime before it starts with our nation‑leading Violence Reduction Unit.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Police, Community Safety and Victims Anthony Carbines

“Only Labor backs Victoria Police with more members on the beat and better equipment to keep Victorians safe.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Corrections and Youth Justice Paul Hamer

“Tough consequences for serious crime and programs that stop reoffending. That’s what this Budget delivers for community safety.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Enver Erdogan

“Illicit tobacco fuels organised crime, and this Budget is investing to bring down the criminals who think they can get away with it.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Emergency Services and Natural Disaster Recovery Vicki Ward

“When disaster strikes, our emergency services are always there for us. We’re making sure they have the equipment and facilities they need as we help bushfire-affected locals get back on their feet.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn

“Children deserve to be safe where they live, learn and play – that’s what we’re delivering in Victoria.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Melissa Horne

“Everyone deserves to live safely and free from the fear of violence – that’s why we’re delivering funding to keep Victorian women and children safe.”