Wednesday, 12 April 2017

Peulich: Tackling Crime in Monash taking back our streets

A Liberal Nationals Government will crack down severely on violent re-offending by introducing statutory minimum
jail terms for criminals.

State Member of South Eastern Metropolitan Region, Inga Peulich MLC believes that a mandatory jail policy for the
sentencing of violent repeat offenders will put a halt to the crime tsunami in the City of Monash.

Aimed at those who are found guilty of a second violent offence, having been found guilty of a prior serious violence
offence, these minimum terms will be hefty and send a very loud message that we will come down heavily on those
who think they can continue to defy the law and subject their fellow citizens to the indignity of violence, fear and
intimidation.

Our policy for mandatory minimum jail times is the biggest sentencing reform in Victorias history, Ms Peulich said.

Two years of the Andrews Labor Government has seen per capita cuts to police numbers right across the City of
Monash and a weakening of bail and sentencing laws that have exposed the municipality to the daily trauma of car-
jackings, home invasions, armed robberies and gang violence.

Crime is up 19.8% in the City of Monash for the year ending 2016. There has been an extraordinary 78.8% jump in
robbery, 72.6% increase in deception, 51.8% jump in stalking, a 43.7% rise in dangerous and negligent acts
endangering people, 36.4% hike in abduction and a 17.3% increase in burglary/break and enter.

Monash residents have had enough of the Andrews government going soft on crime, it's time for a new approach, a
tough approach, no more excuses, no more second chances, its two strikes and youre in, Ms Peulich said.

These changes are not only directed at violent gangs. They extend to all areas of our community where violence is all
too prevalent. Domestic violence in Monash is rising and is a key area where it is absolutely vital to come down
heavily on re-offenders. These laws would see recidivist domestic violence perpetrators go away for a long time.

Mandatory jail times will be the most meaningful change to dealing with family violence in the City of Monash and
cowards who think they can keep getting away with family violence will likely be facing mandatory jail times of at
least ten years, Ms Peulich said.

This announcement is part of a broader suite of policies that will be needed to make the City of Monash safe, and
joins earlier announcements by the Liberal Nationals on bail, sentencing, police resourcing and youth justice.

Further Information Contact: Inga Peulich MLC (03) 9772 1366