Rising crime exposes Labor’s shameful record

The Nationals' Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has slammed Labor's record on crime following new figures showing recorded criminal offences have increased across every Local Government Area in the Mildura electorate.

"Crime has gone up under Labor and regional communities have been let down," Ms Benham said.

"Every part of the Mildura electorate has seen an increase in recorded offences over the past year, with Buloke up by a staggering 36.4 per cent, Swan Hill up 11 per cent, Mildura up 4.2 per cent and Yarriambiack up 3.7 per cent.

"Mildura now has the fourth-highest rate of alleged offenders in Victoria, while across the state recorded offences have increased by 29 per cent since December 2022, equivalent to 141,560 more offences per year.

"These figures confirm what we sadly already know - that Labor's approach to crime is not keeping our communities safe."

The latest figures come as the independent Victorian Auditor-General found no evidence that Labor's $40 million Youth Crime Prevention Program is reducing offending. Its analysis found 70 per cent of matched program participants offended within six months of starting the program.

"Labor has spent $40 million on a youth crime prevention program that quite simply is reducing offending," Ms Benham said.

The report also found serious problems with how the program is targeted, measured and monitored, raising further questions about whether taxpayers are getting the results they should.

"This is not about giving up on young people. It is about making sure interventions actually work and helping young people move away from crime before they become entrenched in the justice system.

"The Nationals and Liberals have a comprehensive plan for safer communities, including 3,000 more police, fixing Victoria's broken justice system and effective early intervention to help young people move away from a life of crime.