The Allan Labor Government must restore community safety powers for Victoria Police, as the consequences of the decriminalisation of public drunkenness begin to show.
Today, Victoria Police is moving Operation Stand to Elizabeth Street in Melbourne’s CBD in order to battle an increase in offensive behaviour, abuse and assaults from intoxicated individuals towards retail and hospitality workers.
However, Victoria Police has little power to prevent this offensive behaviour and move people on, as the Victorian Labor Government has:
- Removed move-on powers;
- Removed public drunkenness as an offence; and
- Removed police powers of arrest for drunkenness in a public place.
Shadow Minister for Police, Brad Battin, said: “The Allan Labor Government must pull its head out of the sand and ensure Victoria Police has the powers they need to keep the community safe.
“Labor is leaving frontline officers to respond to incidents with one arm tied behind their backs, meaning CBD workers, shoppers and visitors are at heightened risk.
“Employees should never have to work in an unsafe workplace and the best way to ensure community safety is to reinstate move-on laws and the power of arrest for drunkenness in a public place.”
