More crime, more inaction from Labor

The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, has slammed the Allan Labor Government for failing to address the worsening crime wave across regional Victoria, with the latest crime data confirming yet another alarming rise in offending.

Fresh figures from the Crime Statistics Agency for the year ending March 2025 reveal substantial increases in criminal incidents, offender rates, and family violence across all six local government areas of the Euroa electorate.

“These figures are a clear sign that Labor has completely lost control of law and order in our regional communities,” Ms Cleeland said.

“Crime is up, offenders are emboldened, and family violence continues to worsen – yet the Allan Government refuses to act.

“How many more reports will it take before we see a genuine response? The Government’s failure to deliver stronger bail laws, properly resource police, or swiftly ban dangerous weapons like machetes has left our communities exposed.”

The latest CSA figures show:

• Strathbogie: Total criminal incidents up 27.4%, offender incidents up 69.2%, family violence incidents up 21.3%
• Mitchell: Total criminal incidents up 26.5%, offender incidents up 45.1%, family violence up 13.5%
• Benalla: Total criminal incidents up 14.6%, offender incidents up 21.1%, family violence up 21.1%
• Campaspe: Total criminal incidents up 10.4%, offender incidents up 13.1%, family violence up 2.8%
• Greater Bendigo: Total criminal incidents up 15.8%, offender incidents up 29%, family violence up 10.1%
• Greater Shepparton: Total criminal incidents up 20.2%, offender incidents up 28.6%, family violence up 31.3%

Ms Cleeland said the statistics confirmed what locals were already seeing every day.

“We’re hearing about stolen cars in Violet Town, farm break-ins around Benalla and Colbinabbin, robberies in Murchison, and growing reports of property damage,” Ms Cleeland said.

“These aren’t isolated incidents – they’re signs of a system that isn’t working and a government that refuses to listen.

“Families and small businesses deserve to feel safe, but instead we have a justice system that prioritises offenders over victims and leaves regional communities behind.

“The Premier and her Ministers can’t keep dodging responsibility. These figures are proof that Labor’s soft-on-crime approach is failing – and regional Victorians are the ones paying the price.”