The Nationals commit $100 million to safer communities across Victoria

The Nationals' Member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, has condemned the Allan Labor Government for slashing youth crime prevention funding at a time when regional communities are facing a statewide crime crisis.

Mr McCurdy said Labor’s record shows a drastic cut in support, with youth crime prevention funding dropping from almost $13 million annually between 2014 and 2022 to just $541,000 a year over the past three years.

“In contrast to Labor’s neglect, The Nationals have a real plan to restore safety and confidence across Victoria,” Mr McCurdy said.

The $100 million Safer Communities Plan will introduce tough new laws alongside targeted prevention programs to make a difference in every community. The plan builds on the Break Bail, Face Jail policy to ensure consequences for first-time and repeat offenders.

Key initiatives include:

• Jack’s Law for Victoria – giving police stronger powers to remove weapons from our streets.

• Restart – a Victorian-first residential responsibility and discipline program for serious and repeat offenders.

• Youthstart – coordinated community-based interventions to help at-risk young people make better choices.

Mr McCurdy said the plan focuses on community safety through both enforcement and early intervention.

“Families in the Ovens Valley and across Victoria deserve to feel safe in their homes, at the shops and on the streets. Our plan delivers consequences for offenders, but also provides the discipline, support and hope young people need to turn their lives around.

“While youth crime rates continue to rise, Labor has walked away from prevention programs and failed to address weak bail laws. The Nationals' have a clear plan to restore community safety, because regional Victorians should not have to pay the price for Labor’s failures. 

Labor can’t manage crime, and regional Victorians are paying the price.”