Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says youth crime, gang violence a ‘failure’ of state government

THE state government has accused Malcolm Turnbull of “playing games” after the Prime Minister pinned Victoria’s escalating youth crime and gang violence on a Premier Daniel Andrews’ “political leadership and determination”.

THE Victorian government has hit back at the Prime Minister after he accused them of not doing enough to stop youth crime and gang violence in Melbourne and across the state.

“We are very concerned at the growing gang violence and lawlessness in Victoria, in particular in Melbourne,” Malcolm Turnbull said on Monday.

“This is a failure of the Andrews Labor government.”

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The Prime Minister said Victoria Police had the capacity to do the job but needed better directions from the state government.

“What is lacking is the political leadership and the determination on the part of Premier Daniel Andrews,” Mr Turnbull said.

He said authorities need “leadership, the direction, the confidence of the government to get on with the job and tackle this gang problem”.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull slammed the Andrews government while speaking at the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club. Picture: Jenny Evans

Labor Minister Philip Dalidakis hit back at the criticism, accusing the Prime Minister of “playing games”.

“If Malcolm Turnbull wants to play games instead of working in a collaborative effort, then he can do so and talk to himself,” Mr Dalidakis said.

The Trade and Investment Minister said given the state government was heading into an election year, it was likely the federal government was doing the political bidding of the state opposition.

“If Malcolm Turnbull wants to flap his gums, then of course nothing will be achieved,” Mr Dalidakis said

“We will take our instructions and advice from Victoria Police,” he said.

Labor Minister Philip Dalidakis accused the Prime Minister of “playing games”.

Deputy Commissioner Andrew Crisp says he will not be engaging in the “politics” surrounding youth offending. Picture: Alison Wynd

“We certainly won’t be taken suggestions or advice from a bloke who can’t even wear a life vest when he’s on a boat,” he said, referring to the Prime Minister being fined $250 for not wearing a life jacket while in a dinghy in Sydney Harbour last week.

The MP said the Andrews government had provided Victoria Police with an additional 3,125 service men and women to help keep the community safe.

Mr Dalidakis refused to say whether Victoria had a problem with youth crime but said that “no society was perfect”.

Deputy Commissioner Andrew Crisp said Victoria Police was committed to tackling youth offending but would not be engaging in the “politics” surrounding the issue.

“The Prime Minister is entitled to make comments as he sees fit,” DC Crisp said.

“What I will say, day in and day out, is that I will continue to support our members,” he said.

“I am very confident in the investment the state government has made towards Victoria Police … I well and truly believe we’re on the right track,” DC Crisp said.

“We’re locking up a lot of people,” he said.

Shadow Attorney-General John Pesutto said Victoria’s gang probelm had to be “tackled urgently”.

“There is an emergence of a gang culture in Victoria, which is attracting national attention and it must be tackled,” Mr Pesutto said.

“These gangs don’t fear police, they don’t fear community, and they certainly don’t fear the consequences.”