New technology, stronger enforcement and state-of-the-art facilities will help keep Victorians safe as part of a major police and emergency services funding boost.
The Victorian Budget 2019/20 will provide $120.6 million over four years to crack down on dangerous driving, boosting mobile camera hours by 75 per cent. Independent modelling by the Monash University Accident Research Centre shows this investment will save 60 lives and prevent 260 serious injuries every year – particularly on our regional roads.
The Budget also invests $70.6 million to deliver secure, encrypted digital radios for Ambulance Victoria’s statewide network, bringing it in line with other emergency service agencies like Victoria Police, and making sure our paramedics can respond to emergencies as quickly as possible.
The Andrews Labor Government will improve superannuation benefits for Victoria’s dedicated police and emergency services workers, helping protect those that protect us in their retirement.
The Budget provides $60 million over four years to improve retirement benefits for the brave men and women who keep us safe, and to fund veteran commemoration activities. It is also an important recognition of the vital and often dangerous work that our police and emergency workers undertake each day.
As promised, the Budget delivers $8.5 million for better mental health care for police and emergency service workers, including reforming how mental health care is accessed with a 12-month pilot of provisional payments, so the men and women who serve our state get mental health support as soon as they need it.
The Forensic Drug Intelligence Capability Program will allow police to better disrupt and prosecute drug traffickers and prevent harm caused by drugs like ice, with an additional $4.7 million.
The Fixated Threat Assessment Centre will be upgraded, with $2.8 million to ensure police and other agencies have the specialist tools they need to help prevent serious incidents of mass violence.
As part of our ongoing work to prevent acts of terrorism, $2.5 million will help maintain and operate the CBD security improvements currently being rolled out, including the Bourke Street Mall upgrades, CCTV cameras and the public address system, as well as investing in police capability in counter-terrorism and security training.
CFA and Life Saving Victoria will receive $17 million to ensure our volunteers and staff can protect lives and property – both on land and in the water.
This investment will fund a new CFA fire station to support the growing Armstrong Creek community and upgraded stations at Phillip Island, Riddells Creek and Junortoun in the Bendigo area. Surf lifesaving clubhouses will also be upgraded in Jan Juc, Carrum and Barwon Heads.
A $5.4 million investment will build on our emergency alert infrastructure to help keep Victorians safe, protecting lives and property.
As noted by Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville
“We’re delivering stronger, more responsive and more effective police and emergency services to keep Victorians safe, just as we promised.”
“As we continue to roll out 3,135 new officers, we’re making the investments needed to keep driving down crime and protecting Victorians from the ongoing threat of terrorism.”
“Our emergency services work tirelessly all year round to keep us safe – that’s why it’s only fair and right that we look after the people who look after us.”
