Liberals want Premier Daniel Andrews to recall parliament to address African gang crisis

VICTORIA’S Acting Premier James Merlino has promised youths linked to African gang crime will have the “book thrown at them” as he insisted the state is still a safe place. The Opposition has called on the Premier to recall Parliament to address the crisis.

YOUNG thugs involved with African crime gangs will “have the book thrown at them” in a bid to keep Victoria safe, Acting Premier James Merlino says.

Returning to work today, Mr Merlino told media Victoria Police was handling the law and order crisis before lashing out at the Federal Government for becoming involved the issue.

“This is a serious issue and here are communities who do fear of the level of safety,” Mr Merlino said.

“We are going to tackle these crimes where they occur, we are going to tackle these gangs where they occurr, we are going to throw the book at them.“

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Acting Premier James Merlino. Picture: Kylie Else

“But frankly, we won’t take our advice from Peter Dutton or Matthew Guy — we will take our advice from Victoria Police. We will give them the powers and resources they need.”

Mr Merlino’s comments come as the state’s leadership begins to slowly return from holidays following criticism for being absent during the crisis.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy approached the Turnbull Government last week to garner help.

However, the move was slammed by Mr Merlino who accussed the Oppostion of pulling “stunts” in relation to crime.

Mr Merlino himself skirted questions on whether the state had also approached the Federal Government for help.

He replied by attacking the Commonwealth for AFP funding cuts.

Mr Merlino also raised the State Opposition’s apparent connections with organised crime.

Despite admitting the state was struggling with the issue of gang crime Mr Merlino remained confident the state was safe and said 3000 new police were already being recruited.

Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy is in talks with the Federal Government. Photo: AAP Image/ Alex Murray

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Premier urged to recall parliament amid African gang crisis

A petition calling on Premier Daniel Andrews to recall parliament has been launched in the bid to urgently address Victoria’s African gang crisis.

The online appeal created by the State Opposition, comes after the Andrews government’s three top leaders were on holidays when the crisis escalated last week.

Members of the Labor Party were confused over who was the Acting Premier and Police Minister Lisa Neville could not tell media who was at the helm while Mr Andrews was away.

Government spinners finally confirmed Treasurer Tim Pallas was in charge and Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos said police were handling the issue.

Amid the ongoing concerns Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has been in talks with the Federal Government over potential fixes and is putting forward a series of potential tough on crime measures to address the gang issue.

The petition said people who signed were “sick of the crime wave rapidly spreading across our state”.

“We need mandatory sentencing, and we need to strengthen our bail laws to send a clear message that violent behaviour will not be tolerated,” it reads.

“Daniel Andrews, it’s time to cut short your holiday and recall parliament.”

Acting Premier James Merlino said the Liberal’s call was “rank hypocrisy”.

He accused the Opposition of holding up other legislation in the Victorian Parliament and said recalling members would have no impact if they continued to hold up proposed laws.

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