Shadow Police and Corrections Minister David Southwick visited Shepparton to speak to police, businesses and community groups.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
A possible new use for the old Dhurringile prison is just one of the things the Victorian shadow police and corrections minister said a coalition state government would be open to looking at if elected.
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David Southwick, who is also shadow minister for youth justice and youth future leaders, visited Shepparton on Wednesday, September 17, as part of a statewide tour looking at making communities safer.
Shepparton was the second stop on the tour, with Mr Southwick meeting with police, businesses and community groups.
Mr Southwick said the theme he was finding was that people did not feel safe in their street, homes or businesses.
He promised that if a coalition government was elected at the next Victorian election, it would take a tough stance on serious crime, would work on rehabilitation, and would have a “if you break bail, you face jail” stance.
While speaking to the media, Mr Southwick suggested the former Dhurringile prison could be used for some sort of residential program for young people, rather than as detention.
“We’re open to have all kinds of discussions rather than having it sitting there while young offenders run wild,” he said.
“Wouldn’t it be great to turn it into something to help.”
Shepparton business owner Kamal Dhillon, state Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe, Victorian shadow Police and Corrections Minister David Southwick and state Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell during the visit.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
If elected, among his promises was $100 million for early intervention programs to stop youth crime.
These included a proposed $70 million “re-start program” — run like a boot camp for young people to take them away from bad environments — and $20 million for the Youthstart program focusing on intervention.
Mr Southwick also said police needed more resources, and more powers.
He addressed the recently introduced machete ban, saying criminals were not the ones dropping their machetes into machete bins.
He said, if elected, a coalition government would introduce Jack’s Law to Victoria, which would see police given powers to search people for weapons to take them off the streets.
Police resources were also addressed, with Mr Southwick saying police numbers were 20,000 short of what they should be across the state.
Shepparton business owner Kamal Dhillon was one of those who spoke to Mr Southwick.
Mr Dhillon said staff at businesses in the Shepparton central business district — especially female staff — did not feel safe at work after 4pm.
He also said female workers often worked by themselves in retail businesses, and would like to see more of a police presence around the CBD.
He told of one female worker who had someone try to grab them only a few weeks ago.
State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell and state Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe accompanied Mr Southwick during his visit.
“We need more police and more powers,” Mr Southwick said.
“Police are running a catch-and-release program where we see young offenders bailed … and back on the streets within hours.”
Mr Southwick said he planned to visit other regional towns as part of his tour.
“Crime doesn’t have boundaries … I want to make sure everyone is safe.”
