Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy seeks federal alliance to tackle gang crime

State Opposition Leader Matthew Guy talks with federal colleagues about a “united ­approach’’ over the gang crime wave.

Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy. Picture: Nicole Garmston

The Victorian Coalition has held talks with Malcolm Turnbull and Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton about a “united ­approach” to tackling the gang crime wave, which Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said must be fixed through mandatory sentencing and deporting foreigners who commit violent crimes.

In a move that signals the start of an election campaign with law and order at its centre, Mr Guy yesterday urged Premier Daniel Andrews to return to work early to address the street gang violence that is unfolding in Melbourne.

The Coalition leader, who is spruiking a “tough on crime” platform ahead of a November election, urged Mr Andrews to recall parliament immediately to reform bail laws and adopt a mandatory sentencing plan hitting repeat violent offenders with automatic jail terms.

He also revealed to The Australian discussions with the Home Affairs Department to take a more united approach to a gang crisis that has already involved the cancellation and deportation of some foreign-born nationals.

“Since announcing my plan to deport foreign-born criminals in 2016, I have been in contact with the federal government about a united approach to dealing with this crisis,” Mr Guy said.

“Victoria needs a new, tough ­direction on law and order which only the Liberal Party can deliver.

“Mandatory sentencing, bail reform, throwing the book at those who are repeat offenders, deporting those who are not citizens, and getting tough on those who are ­repeat offenders is a way to make our state safe again.”

Mr Dutton confirmed that Mr Guy has been in contact with himself and the Prime Minister to discuss a collaborative approach to Victorian law and order issues.

“Matthew Guy has had a number of discussions with the Prime Minister and myself about the very serious situation in Victoria,” he told The Australian.

“Our government will work with any state government which is willing and has the competence to deal collaboratively with law and orders issues.”

The talks come as residents in Melbourne’s outer eastern and western suburbs demand a stronger political response to a string of home invasions and robberies committed by a small group of ­offenders described by witnesses and police as African street gangs.

The Andrews government and federal Labor counterparts have said the Turnbull government needs to take greater responsibility for the gang issue because it had cut funding to the Australian ­Federal Police, which would have assisted the state’s response to gangs.

Acting federal ALP leader Tanya Plibersek roasted Mr Dutton at the weekend, arguing that rather than “just looking to point the finger of blame”, it would be preferable if the federal government “actually played their role in making sure all Australians feel safe”.

Mr Guy, who said the crime wave represented the state’s ­biggest challenge in 3½ years, ­attacked Mr Andrews for remaining on leave while the events played out.

“It’s outrageous that the Premier has spent the summer avoiding scrutiny while Victoria experiences a major law and order crisis,” Mr Guy said.

“The parliament should be ­immediately recalled to reform the bail system and introduce mandatory sentencing for ­repeat offenders.”

The Coalition is promoting a mandatory sentencing plan that slaps violent offenders with a statutory minimum jail term if they commit a second violent crime, as well as reforms for the bail, parole and sentencing ­systems.

The Andrews government is midway through introducing and implementing comprehensive bail reforms drafted in the wake of the 2016 Bourke Street tragedy in which six people died, allegedly run down by a man on bail.

The first tranche of reforms, which imposes a presumption against bail for a suite of violent ­offences such as carjacking and ­violent home invasions, has passed parliament.

The second tranche, introduced last month, gives police more of a say in bail decisions and puts community safety as a bail justice’s first consideration in deciding whether someone gets bail.

Deputy Premier James Merlino is Acting Premier, and Police Minister Lisa Neville is filling in for Attorney-General Martin Pakula.

Mr Andrews will return briefly at the end of the week before ­leaving to go to India on official business.

Mr Andrews will return from India in time for memorial services for the Bourke Street massacre, beginning on January 20, with formal functions on January 23.