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Salaam Namaste and Shubh Holi

Many in the Victoria’s Indian and South Asian community have experienced some of the escalating violence and anti-social behaviour which characterised the past 11 years under the former Labor Government.

Melbourne streets and regional and rural communities will be made safer as 600 more police officers are allocated across the state by June 30.

The Coalition Government’s pledge to reverse growing culture of violent crime and anti-social behaviour that pervaded our streets under Labor will see more frontline police protecting local communities.

The allocation of more police across 46 Police Service Areas by 30 June this year is the first stage of the State Coalition Government’s commitment to deliver 1,700 more police over four years.

The Coalition has already delivered on a key election commitment with the allocation of 100 additional police to the Transit Safety Division.

Commuters can have more confidence riding the public transport network with a greater police presence on trains, trams and buses expected within weeks.

Victoria Police will continue to put more frontline police into metropolitan and regional communities as the Coalition Government delivers on its promise to better protect Victorian families.

Recently the Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Peter Ryan, launched the latest recruitment drive for Victoria Police to attract the passionate, dedicated individuals who want to serve and protect their community as police officers.

Our police do a remarkable job but under Labor, Victoria Police was under-funded and police resources were stretched.

The Victorian Police Command had allocated the 600 new frontline positions based on priority community needs.Of the 600 positions allocated, 450 will be new recruits while 150 officers will be redeployed to the front line.

The 600 new frontline positions will be allocated across four regions, with 140 to the North Western Metro region, 66 to the Eastern Region, 107 to the Southern Metro Region and 72 to the Western Region.

The new recruits and redeployed officers are the first instalment of the commitment to have 1,700 new police officers effectively on the beat over the next four years.

The project will be reviewed and tested every year to make sure resources are being allocated effectively and that they accurately reflect the demand for police services across the state.

Although not every area has received extra police under the latest allocation , the Coalition’s promise of 1,700 new police recruits over four years will ensure all regional and rural communities benefit from the government’s commitment to make Victoria safer.

Under Labor, Victoria had the lowest number of frontline police per person and spent less on police resources per capita than any other state in Australia.

I would also encourage eligible men and women from Victoria’s Indian and South Asian community to consider applying for the new roles in Victoria police and help to contribute towards a better, safer community.

Victoria needs the best recruits from all backgrounds who have the drive, passion and commitment to serve their community as a member of the Victoria Police force.  Now is the time to step forward and help your follow Victorians.

By the time this column is published the winner of the world cup will be known.  It will be either India or Sri Lanka.  It is great to see such a powerful performance from the South Asian teams and I congratulate the winner.  Australia will have its work cut out in the future to compete against such great teams.

If you have any problems with housing, education, crime, police, health care, transport, consumer matters or any other area of State Government responsibility, please do not hesitate to contact me with your concerns.  You can write to me at Parliament House, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002 or email me at ted.baillieu@parliament.vic.gov.au.

—Ted Baillieu

Premier of Victoria