Daniel Andrews accuses Peter Dutton of trying to get rise out of community

A senior cabinet minister has slammed Victorian premier Daniel Andrews, blaming him for the spate of violent crimes across the state.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton.

UPDATED: Home Affairs minister Peter Dutton has blamed Victorian premier Daniel Andrews for the spate of violent crimes across the state.

“I know some people are out denying that there are gangs or that gang violence is taking place,” he said.

“It’s complete nonsense. The fact is there are many victims in Victoria who have suffered at the hands of these gangs and we need to call it out.”

Mr Dutton said there was a problem with some members of the judiciary appointed by Mr Andrews.

“This is a problem that is concentrated in Victoria,” he said.

“There’s a problem with some of the judges and magistrates that Daniel Andrews has appointed and I think some of the bail decisions that have been made have been criticised by Daniel Andrews own ministers.”

Mr Dutton said the premier needed to apologise for mistakes which have led to the recent violence.

“I think Daniel Andrews is travelling in some parallel universe which puts him at complete odds with the Victorian public,” Mr Dutton said.

“He needs to fix the problem, it is of his own making, and he needs to fix it quickly before anybody else falls victim to these gang members.”

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews speaks to the media during a visit to a railway level crossing removal site in Murrumbeena. Picture: AAP

‘No call from PM on street gangs’

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says Malcolm Turnbull has not raised the state’s youth gang problem with him despite the prime minister’s public criticism of his handling of the issue.

On his first day back at work after a Christmas and New Year break, Mr Andrews said he had “a number of discussions” with Mr Turnbull before the end of 2017, but “can confirm for you that despite his recent commentary, he didn’t raise these matters with me.

“I might be dobbing myself in for a phone call later today, he might feel the need to now raise these matters with me, having felt the need to rubbish Victoria Police, rubbish Melbourne, rubbish Victoria, that’s what he’s been doing,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Andrews accused Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton of trying to “get a rise” out of the community, as he insists that Melbourne is a safe place and Victoria Police have gang crime in hand.

Mr Andrews rejected suggestions by the Mr Dutton that a street gang crime issue had made Melbourne residents too scared to go out for dinner.

He accused Mr Dutton of deliberately causing controversy, as he invited him to come to Melbourne where Victoria Police were rolling out a new community taskforce and urging the federal government to adopt a new database to contain gang crime.

“I took my family out for dinner a number of times and I don’t agree with Mr Sutton’s comments,” he said.

“I think Mr Dutton’s comments were designed to get a rise out of people.

“A Queensland minister, in a federal government on Sydney radio — they were designed to be as controversial as possible. I don’t know how much time he spends in Melbourne

“Yes, I did have dinner out with my family and some friends and this is a great city and we are well served by I think, Australia’s best police force.”

He added: “I don’t know how often (Mr Dutton) spends time in Melbourne. He’s always welcome to come and have dinner ...”

.@DanielAndrewsMP: ‘Let’s be very clear, I think @PeterDutton_MP’s comments were designed to be controversial and get a rise out of people. He’s always welcome to come for dinner at many of the fine restaurants we have right across our state.’ MORE: https://t.co/VEC6S9tGWQ pic.twitter.com/WmjP1XweMa

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) January 10, 2018

He reiterated the Andrews government would “throw the book” at young offenders engaging in violent crimes, arguing that there was “no excuse” for violent crime even if the offenders were suffering other, contributing factors including unemployment and integration issues.

The Premier met with Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton this morning, where he said Mr Ashton asked for more support to fund a community taskforce and

The Premier said he would also back participation in a piloted, national database tracking offenders, saying the idea was “plain common sense”.

“It’s a very effective tool ... you’re in a much better position to keep the community safe,” he said.

“I am confident Victoria Police are doing everything they can, and we can be confident they are the best police force in our nation and that is already delivering results,” he added.

Police are still to charge a single offender from a violent rampage last Thursday in which a gang of youths committed two brutal home invasions and bashed two pedestrians.