Victoria Police commissioner Shane Patton ‘forced out’ by Labor
The Victorian government has been accused of forcing out the police commissioner, with the opposition claiming Shane Patton was made a scapegoat.
The Victorian government has been accused of forcing out the state’s police commissioner, with the opposition claiming Shane Patton was made a scapegoat for Labor’s failure on crime.
Mr Patton announced his resignation late on Sunday after an “unprecedented” vote of no confidence by rank-and-file police officers.
His contract was to expire in June. Despite indicating that he would be offered a second five-year term, the government abruptly reversed course over the weekend. However, it has since emerged that neither Premier Jacinta Allan nor Police Minister Anthony Carbines informed him of that decision, leaving the task to government officials. ○
Opposition Leader Brad Battin said he believed Mr Patton had been pushed to resign, claiming he was used as a scapegoat by Labor for its failure in dealing with law and order.
“He was coming back to work on Monday. By Sunday night, they put out a statement saying thank you very much, Shane, you’re not coming, and they gave him the opportunity to resign. Shane was pushed,” he said.
Mr Battin, a former police officer, did not rule out pursuing a vote of no-confidence against Mr Carbines in parliament after declaring he was not up to the job.
He expressed anger and dismay on learning that neither Ms Allan nor Mr Carbines personally informed Mr Patton that his contract would not be renewed.
“I cannot believe that a government would be so weak to not ring the chief commissioner,” he said. “This is like breaking up over text. That is just appalling.
“We’ve seen a police minister clearly that’s not up to the job. A police minister that only a week ago was backing the police commissioner. Now we’re sacking him and eventually we’ll be blaming Shane Patton for the problems that this Labor government has done.”
Mr Battin called on Ms Allan to take responsibility for the turmoil in Victoria Police.
“If you have full confidence in Anthony Carbines, an incompetent minister who’s failing to deliver, that is your choice … I’m not here to decide whether he should be sacked or not, that is totally up to the Premier,” he said.
Ms Allan refused to reveal details about the timing of Mr Patton’s decision to resign, saying such inquiries were “deeply inappropriate” and “most disrespectful”. She said the “overwhelming” vote of no-confidence had to be addressed.
“There were a range of discussions between senior government officials following what was an overwhelming vote of Victoria Police members, an unprecedented vote of Victoria Police members, and that simply couldn’t be ignored,” she said.
When confronted with an example of a police commissioner continuing to work despite facing a no-confidence vote, Ms Allan appeared unsettled before pointing to the vote’s participation rate and decisive outcome.
Mick Miller, chief commissioner from 1977 to 1987, remained in the position for an additional two years despite a no-confidence motion.
Mr Carbines on Monday backtracked on his previous support for a second term, despite offering his endorsement less than two weeks ago.
Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent has been appointed acting chief commissioner.
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