The Minister for Police, Anthony Carbines, appears to be at odds with the Chief Commissioner of Police, Shane Patton, around the delivery of extra police officers. In Public Accounts and Estimates Committee hearings at the weekend, Mr Carbines claimed that Labor’s commitment to deliver 502 extra police officers would be met by 30 September, but failed to factor in the 800 current vacant positions across the state.

With a fall in the overall number of police in Victoria, Commissioner Patton confirmed that the State Government would be unable to deliver additional officers.

To achieve the commitment, Labor would be required to deliver 1302 extra police by the end of the year, despite having no plan or funding in the State Budget to make it happen.

Shadow Minister for Police, Brad Battin, said with more than 800 vacancies on police rosters, shifts go empty, stations are closed and response times are slower.

“Under Labor, Victoria is broke and the safety of Victorians has been ignored,” Mr Battin said.

“The Minister is unable to tell Victorians how he plans to deliver on his promise, and Victorians are worse off for it.”

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 14 June 2023.