Media Release

14.12.09

For immediate release

WHY IS JOHN BRUMBY BURYING VICTORIA POLICE’S REPORT ON STREET CRIME??

A report designed to tackle Melbourne’s street violence has been buried by the Brumby Government, it was revealed in Parliament last week.

The report was commissioned by Victoria Police as part of the $1.2million Safe Streets research project announced by John Brumby in May 2008.

Liberal MP David Hodgett says that sources have confirmed the report is completed and would be extremely beneficial, however the Government is yet to release its findings.

Mr Hodgett, who queried the vanishing report in Parliament, asked why the Government was hiding it from the Victorian people.

“Does this report embarrass the government and its feeble attempts at controlling the serious issue of alcohol related violence? The last thing John Brumby wants is a report he himself commissioned finding that all his buzz words and grandiose promises have amounted to a worsening situation,” Mr Hodgett said.

“Or is it a case of the Government taking $1.2million of taxpayer’s money to research policy for next years election? Are they hiding the report away so they can unveil its ideas as policy next year and claim to have all the solutions?”

“Either way, Minister Bob Cameron and John Brumby are making a mockery of the Victorian people and the serious issue of violence in our streets.”

“How can John Brumby justify this dishonesty to victims of street violence in the coming months? He is compromising the safety of Victorians for the sake of political manoeuvring.”

“The Victorian people deserve every effort to make our streets safe, and they deserve much better from the Government.”

Media contact:          David Hodgett: 9725 3570 or 0418 373 622