The Hon. Annabelle Cleeland, Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Media Release, 30 September 2025

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 June 2025 reveal substantial increases in criminal incidents, offender rates, and family violence across all six local government areas of the Euroa electorate.

“These figures show crime is getting worse in every corner of our community, and Labor is nowhere to be seen,” Ms Cleeland said.

“Offender incidents are skyrocketing, family violence is climbing, and people no longer feel safe in their own homes.

“These aren’t just numbers, they reflect families torn apart, businesses left vulnerable, and communities living in fear.

“Yet the Allan Government refuses to act.

“Their failure to deliver stronger bail laws, properly resource police, or effectively ban dangerous weapons like machetes has left our towns exposed and victims abandoned.”

The latest CSA figures show:

• Strathbogie Shire: Criminal incidents up 17.9 per cent, offender incidents up 63.4 per cent, family violence incidents up 24.3 per cent
• Mitchell Shire: Criminal incidents up 11 per cent, offender incidents up 42.6 per cent, family violence incidents up 3.8 per cent
• Benalla: Criminal incidents up 7.5 per cent, offender incidents up 15.8 per cent, family violence incidents up 16.3 per cent
• Campaspe: Criminal incidents up 12.3 per cent, offender incidents up 23.9 per cent, family violence incidents up 3.5 per cent
• Greater Bendigo: Criminal incidents up 12.5 per cent, offender incidents up 29.3 per cent, family violence incidents up 3.4 per cent
• Greater Shepparton: Criminal incidents up 17.5 per cent, offender incidents up 24.2 per cent, family violence incidents up 18.3 per cent

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 are not isolated incidents — they are part of a growing crime wave that is spreading right across regional Victoria. Families and small businesses deserve protection, but instead we have a justice system that prioritises offenders over victims.”

The Nationals have put forward a $100 million Safer Communities Plan that would introduce tough new laws alongside targeted prevention programs to make a real difference in every community.

The plan builds on The Nationals’ Break Bail, Face Jail policy, ensuring offenders face real consequences.

Key initiatives include:

• Jack’s Law for Victoria – giving police powers to conduct random searches in public areas to remove weapons such as machetes from our streets.
• Restart – a Victorian-first residential responsibility and discipline program for serious and repeat offenders.
• Youthstart – co-ordinated community-based interventions to help at-risk young people make better choices.

Meanwhile, the Allan Labor Government has cut $50 million from the police budget, closed police stations and left almost 2,000 police jobs empty.

“The Premier and her Ministers can’t keep dodging responsibility. Labor cannot manage crime across our state and regional Victorians are paying the price,” Ms Cleeland said.