The Liberals and Nationals support a community online petition launched today calling on the Andrews Government to guarantee that one-person police stations will not close.
One-person police stations provide an assurance of safety to the regional communities they serve and ensure people don’t have to travel long distances to larger, busier stations. This provides communities with peace of mind and reassurance to feel safe and secure in their homes.
On 15 April 2015, Daniel Andrews confirmed his support for one-person police stations and said his government, “does not support the forcible closure of police stations against the wishes of local communities.” The Andrews Government must today recommit to its 2015 promise to keep one-person police stations open.
Clause 184.8 of the Victoria Police Enterprise Agreement 2019 currently states that one-person station employees can only be rostered away from their response zone in emergencies or critical situations and only if the employee’s area does not suffer in terms of provision of service to his or her local community.
Victoria Police has lodged claims with The Police Association that would amend clause 184, increasing the mobility for deployment and rostering of one-person station employees. If successful, employees from 98 one-person stations in small towns across Victoria may be rostered out to larger regional centres and cities, which would undermine the safety and security of rural communities.
Shadow Minister for Police, Brad Battin, said residents in these often-isolated communities across Victoria cannot be put at risk to cover up staffing shortages elsewhere.
“Despite more than 800 police vacancies currently in Victoria, which are growing every day, closing one-person stations cannot be the solution,” Mr Battin said.
“Labor’s failure to control the budget means regional Victoria will be less safe. The best way to reverse Labor’s cruel cut to police in regional towns is for the communities to speak up.
“Instead of moving officers from these stations, the AndrewsGovernment must come up with a better plan to fill vacancies and ensure the community is safe.”
The petition can be found athttps://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/view-sign-e-petitions/details/12/526 and will remain open until 17 November 2023.
