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 (CSA) for the year ending June 2025 revealed 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 government cut $50million from the police budget, closed police stations, and left almost 2000 police jobs empty. “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 has had criminal incidents increase by 17.9 per cent, offender incidents by 63.4 per cent, and family violence incidents up 24.3 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 in every community. The plan builds on The Nationals’ "Break Bail, Face Jail" policy, ensuring offenders face significant consequences.
