Victorian government’s poor policy changes now responsible for two tragic deaths

After two senseless deaths this week, at the hands of poor government policy, we should question whether are our leaders do enough to keep us safe.

In just one week government policy has now squarely contributed to two senseless deaths.

In the first, last Thursday, a 34-year-old man was hit and killed by a car after being left for dead by sobering-up centre workers.

Police had spent hours with the man but were unable to take him away for his own safety because of the Allan government’s changes to public drunkenness laws.

They requested the assistance of sobering-up centre workers, who refused the call for help.

In the second, on Tuesday, an innocent 28-year-old motorist was killed in a fatal car crash.

Police believe the driver of the other vehicle was a 17-year-old boy who was well known to them and had recently been on bail.

Jacinta Allen’s government eased bail laws and promised to raise the age of criminal offending in a softly-softly approach to youth justice. Picture: Alan Barber

An innocent man was left for dead by a teen offender after a Burwood car crash. Picture: 9NEWS

This after the Allan government eased bail laws and promised to raise the age of criminal offending in a softly-softly approach to youth justice.

People want, and expect, their government to keep them safe.

The death could have been avoided. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Passers-by stop at the scene of a fatal car accident in Burwood. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

When times are tough, in tragedy, they look to their leaders for solace, answers and for leadership.

On both occasions the government has spectacularly failed.

Jacinta Allan refused to speak to the incident last week hiding behind respect for the man’s family and due process to deflect questions.

Police minister Anthony Carbines on Thursday passed the buck to the judiciary saying they should explain their decisions to the Victorian people.

Neither accepted government policy, of failure, had contributed to either death.

They were both excellent examples of the politicking Victorians became used to under almost a decade of Daniel Andrews.

Andrews mastered the ability to pass blame, and the skill hasn’t been lost on his successors.

Platitudes from politicians to the families and friends of loved ones are thoughtful gestures.

But thoughts don’t save people.

Government policy does.

And if the government continues to bury it’s head in the sand, it will be left with blood on its hands.