One perspective on this year’s state election is it will be a battle of law and order versus health services.
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While crime statistics show a drop in recorded crime in Ballarat some people are still highlighting safety as their number one priority in this year’s poll.
Specifically Ballarat targeted policy solutions have been few in the lead up to the November 24 vote but one of the most prominent promises came in early July from opposition police spokesman Edward O’Donohue, announcing Protective Service Officers patrolling seven-days-a-week from 11am-7pm at the Bridge Mall and Little Bridge Street bus interchange.
The Little Bridge Street bus interchange has been the scene of a recent spate of violent episodes including the alleged bashing of a 15-year-old girl in May, as well as some recent destructive displays of arson.
“The introduction of PSO patrols to Little Bridge Street, and the Bridge Mall, will ensure people feel safe again,” he said at the time.
Many of the Coalition’s other election promises are more law based, specifically relating to violent offenders and those convicted of sexual offences.
Matthew Guy believes the implementation of a ‘Victorian Serious Sex Offenders Public Register’ would assist improving the protection and safety of children, families and the community.
See what’s on offer at this State Election with our wrap-up coverage on key areas and key promises:
Under this proposal, the public will have the ability to access information about adult serious sex offenders. This proposal goes hand in hand with an announcement of extending mandatory minimum jail sentences for repeat child sex offenders.
Victorian Labor has focused more on policy surrounding ensuring the health of both victims, and those who are treating the victims on the scene.
Daniel Andrews is promising increased and improved access to mental health support for emergency service workers under a re-elected labor government. It follows the implementation of mandatory sentencing laws for emergency services brought in in September.
Ensuring that these first responders are able to get out to incidents across the state is also imperative, so the potential roll-out of a proposed 90 new paramedics and 23 new ambulances could potentially go a long way towards reducing incident response times for the public.
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