The latest Report on Government Services (ROGS) published recently has exposed the Victorian Government’s failure to keep Victorians safe, with crime rising while police funding is cut, court backlogs worsen, and criminals are left on the streets instead of behind bars.

The report paints a grim picture of a justice system under strain, showing:

• A 17.97 per cent increase in road deaths, directly linked to Labor’s decision to cut spending on roads and policing.
• Real per capita police expenditure has dropped by 4 per cent, from $655 to $629.67, despite rising crime rates, leaving police stretched thinner than ever.
• Victoria has recorded the second-lowest growth in police funding nationally, with an average annual increase of just 1.1 per cent since 2019-20, far behind other states.
• The number of judicial officers has declined, despite a 19.2 per cent increase in case backlogs, meaning victims are waiting longer for justice while courts struggle to cope.
• Victoria has the lowest prison bed utilisation rate in the country, with prison capacity going unused while offenders remain on the streets.

At risk

Shadow Minister for Police, David Southwick, said Labor’s cuts to policing and failure to get criminals off the streets were putting Victorians at risk.

“Victoria is spending less on policing while crime is rising. Instead of putting criminals behind bars, Labor is cutting resources and leaving police underfunded and courts overwhelmed,” he said.

“Under Labor, fewer police are on the beat, the courts are backed up, and prison beds are sitting empty while offenders roam free.

“Victoria has the lowest prison bed utilisation rate in the country. That means while The Government lets prison beds sit empty, criminals are out on our streets committing more crimes.”

Shadow Attorney-General, Michael O’Brien said Labor’s mismanagement of the justice system is failing victims.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. A 19.2 per cent increase in the case backlog means victims are waiting longer for justice while criminals exploit a slow and broken system.

“The court system is in crisis, but instead of fixing the problem, the Government has let the number of judicial officers decline, making delays even worse.”

“The Liberal and Nationals have repeatedly called for stronger policing, greater judicial resources, and tougher sentencing to ensure criminals are taken off the streets and victims receive justice.” 

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 7 February 2025.