The Source: Opposition Leader Brad Battin shows up to Dandenong BP crime scene

A man was dead, police had barely cordoned off the scene, and Brad Battin was already talking to media. Labor says it’s a disgrace but Battin says it’s his job — and he’s pledged to show up at more crime scenes.

Putting the squeeze on Victoria’s movers, shakers and headline makers

Melbourne’s press pack had a surprise guest at a crime scene before sunrise on Tuesday.

Opposition Leader Brad Battin arrived at a Dandenong BP where a man had just been stabbed to death.

Battin said he’d heard about the deadly attack on the radio on the way to work from his home in Berwick, prompting him to spin the wheel around and head straight to the crime scene.

There, he was quickly speaking to reporters, telling them crime was out of control and this was a prime example.

Labor pounced on the Liberal leader’s last-minute media opp during a press conference later on Tuesday, with frontbencher Colin Brooks demanding he apologise.

Melbourne’s press pack had a surprise guest at a crime scene before sunrise. Picture: Melbourne Headshot Company

“What we don’t need is politicians heading out to crime scenes”, he said, questioning whether the victim’s family had even been told yet what had happened.

“That’s appalling, appalling behaviour from someone who aspires to be the leader of this state.

“We’re entitled to make political arguments, and so is the leader of the opposition, and make points, and his job is to criticise (the) government.

“But that’s a real error of judgment and I think he should apologise to the families in that particular case.”

But Battin refused to apologise. In fact, he pledged to show up at more crime scenes.

“I went to highlight the fact that we have an issue here in Victoria with crime,” he told reporters.

“And I’m sure that every person wants to know the fact that we’re getting people killed on the streets in Victoria because of the lack of resources from the Victoria Police, because this government ignored the issue for too long.”

“It’s my job to go out there and hold the government to account,” Battin added.

“I will continue to do that in every step of the way.”

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