Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, in parliament question time today, sought answers from the Minister for Police over the lack of police numbers in Orbost and lack of provision for additional officers around the Gippsland Lakes holiday destinations over the Christmas period.

These are issues that have been raised with Mr Bull by local community groups.

In relation to Orbost, Mr Bull was asking why the complement of 12 officers in Orbost had been as low as three at times. With massive holiday crowds on the Princes Highway in the coming months, he sought a guarantee local numbers would be boosted.

“This is a huge geographical region to cover and the only route for those holidaying at Mallacoota and Marlo or just over the border at locations like Merimbula.

“In relation to Lakes Entrance and the Gippsland Lakes, my question was on the back of having raised this matter with the Minister a month ago and not having had a response.

“My concern was based on the fact that at a location like Lakes Entrance the population swells from 6,500 to over 50,000 and my advice is they are not being allocated any additional police numbers outside New Year’s Eve and in fact the roster of 17 officers looks like being depleted through maternity and other leave.

“Despite the previous government putting on an additional 1,900 police, in the past 12 months the total number of sworn-in officers in Victoria has dropped from 13,151 in November last year to 13,142 in September this year. So we have had a reduction of nine officers while our population has grown.

“The Minister says additional custody officers will free up police but 12 months into the term of this Government we have none in these roles while police numbers have dropped.

“It is also worth noting none of these custody officers will be assigned to Orbost and Lakes Entrance if and when they do finally come into service.”

Mr Bull said it was disappointing the Minister had not responded to his previous question in the allocated one month timeframe and today has avoided answering the question again.

“Not once in his response did he mention Lakes Entrance or Orbost, which does not fill me with a lot of hope, but what we need to be assured of is two things:

•    That Orbost will have its full complement over the Christmas period, and
•    Additional police will be provided to Lakes Entrance and the Gippsland Lakes region for the entire holiday period, not just New Year’s Eve.

“Our local officers do an outstanding job, but they do need support in peak holiday times,” he said.