Jeff Kennett: Time for Victoria to introduce a zero tolerance approach towards violent offenders

Victoria cannot continue to pussyfoot around acts of criminal behaviour in our community. Violent offenders should go directly to jail without passing go, or bail.

The state government’s new bail laws to be introduced later this year are anecdotally having some effect already.

The changes to the regulations and later legislation on machetes and similar knives are not.

In fact, quite the reverse.

It might be true to state that Victoria is being flooded with the arrival of machete knives from across the borders, and by mail order.

Every week, every day, our news reports are being saturated by stories of acts of violence.

Personal attacks, attacks against households, vehicles, against shops selling luxury goods and even those selling cigarettes.

Years of taking a libertarian view by the government has not worked.

If Victoria is serious about winning the war against crime, we have to move to a no-tolerance position quickly and for at least three years.

Those who are considering an act of violence must know and understand if caught they will pay a consequence.

Machetes purchased by journalist Emma after Australia’s first-ever ban on machetes came into effect in Victoria. Picture: Mark Stewart Machete

Gone should be the opportunity of being granted bail.

If caught you go straight to jail or the equivalent, without passing go, or bail.

With the new Chief Commissioner Mike Bush about to start work, the government must back his judgment and experience completely.

Bush comes to us with a great reputation heading the New Zealand police force. He must be fully supported by our government. To that end, I concede he may not agree or support my call for zero tolerance to acts of crime.

Right now, the police force is reportedly 1000 officers short, putting extraordinary pressure on those who serve.

Worse, I was told by a credible source that between 500 and 800 and maybe even 1000 senior police officers will retire by Christmas this year to take advantage of a situation that allows them to cash out their unused sick leave – a result of an EBA clause that expires on December 31.

If that is so, our police force will be substantially understrength.

Then there are those officers on sick leave, again about 800, 200 with physical injuries and 600 with mental health issues.

Victoria’s new Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush fronts the media with Premier Jacinta Allan. Picture: Ian Currie

No amount of recruiting will make those total numbers up in the short term.

These vacancies will only increase if fewer members are required to be exposed to acts of crime that are continuing to occur, attend rallies that run the risk of violence, and have to attend the in many cases deadly accidents that occur on our roads.

During and since my time at beyondblue, the working relationship beyondblue had with Victoria Police was proactive in the wellbeing of their members, and particularly mental health. This work was a priority of then Commissioner Graham Ashton, and it continues today.

We as a society must do all we can to protect those who work in all of our emergency services, and especially the police force.

It is why I suggest we must move to a period of zero tolerance.

Victoria cannot continue to pussyfoot around acts of criminal behaviour in our community.

Government, the police and the legal system must work in lock step to draw a line in the sand and say crime, including those who graffiti our buildings, is no longer acceptable in our society and will be met with clear consequences.

We, the public, must be prepared to introduce a new standard of behaviour and fully support those in our emergency services as they attempt to protect us and our property.

Rating agencies should be held to account

You will have noticed that since the state budget was handed down by the government, indicating a continuing increase in our state debt, the ratings agencies have been silent.

Contrary to their huffing and puffing and threats before the budget was handed down.

Be clear I do not want to see Victoria further downgraded given the extra cost that would impose on our borrowings.

But had the rating agencies acted responsibility we might not be in the position we are in today.

Sadly, it is why I say the rating agencies should be held to account in law and in part for where Victoria’s finances are today.

We must ensure our arts and sport bodies survive and grow

Finally, again as a result of the times, the cost of living and the desperate financial position of the state, the financial assistance to a whole range of arts organisations has been reduced.

The arts are very much like sport. They take people away from the things that often cause people stress and anxiety, such as family matters, work, or financial concerns.

Victoria has an enviable reputation for the delivery of sporting events and also some wonderful arts assets spread throughout the State.

As we progress through these tough times, we must ensure our arts and sport bodies, particularly outside of the city, survive and grow.

For now, stay safe and be happy.

Jeff Kennett is a former Premier of Victoria

Originally published as Jeff Kennett: Time for Victoria to introduce a zero tolerance approach towards violent offenders