Jason Wood (La Trobe, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Sadly, Victoria is becoming a lawless state where youth gangs have more rights than the community they terrorise. As a former police officer, it is awful to see this happening and especially to see our under-resourced police in some ways being blamed. The Apex gang has led the wave of youth gang violence in Victoria. I am proposing a number of measures.

First, a 'one strike and you're out' policy for those who are on visas and who commit serious, violent gang-related crimes such as home invasion, carjacking and serious assault, and are sentenced to any term of imprisonment. Also, I propose that the immigration minister should have the capacity to issue warning notices and increase citizenship waiting times from four to 10 years for those who commit crimes which are not of a serious, violent nature.

I propose the setting up of two joint task forces where the Victorian police would work with the Australian Federal Police and Immigration staff, and also having youth workers in the one location in the one building. I am proposing that this be set up in La Trobe, which is a hotspot in the south-east, and also in the west side of Melbourne.

We also need the state Labor government and Daniel Andrews to immediately strengthen the bail laws. It is ridiculous that a person who commits violent crimes can be released up to five times on bail. Enough is enough. We need to get strong and we need to get strong now. (Time expired)