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All too often one of the issues raised with me is the prevalence of graffiti on people’s homes, shops and public property.

Graffiti costs the NSW community approximately $100 million a year. It imposes a real cost on businesses, individuals and local councils.

It also makes families feel less safe and makes our communities less attractive places to live and visit.

That’s why Shadow Minister for Police Mike Gallacher and I recently announced a policy to crackdown on graffiti vandals. Our policy sends a clear message - if you spray, you pay – it’s as simple as that.

The NSW Liberals & Nationals will:

• require juvenile graffiti vandals to appear before the court for a graffiti offence;

• empower courts to suspend convicted graffiti vandals’ drivers licenses or extend the time spent on Learners and Provisional licenses;

• legislate for courts to impose Community Service Orders on offenders to make recompense and clean up the graffiti; and,

• encourage the formation of voluntary graffiti removal squads in local areas, in partnership with local government and local communities.

With two-thirds of graffiti offenders aged under 18 years and most male, targeting driving privileges is an effective way to send the message that graffiti vandalism is costly and unacceptable.

As the parent of a teenager of licence age, I know how much young people value the opportunity to get behind the wheel.

Our plan to tackle graffiti in local communities balances penalties for young people who do the wrong thing and offers positive incentives to break a developing juvenile habit.
This is one part of our plan to improve community safety across NSW.

To learn more about our plans for community safety log on to www.startthechange.com.au.