Embattled party sharpens poll focus on ‘crime crisis’
William Ton and Callum Godde |
A major state opposition is sharpening its election strategy, announcing stronger knife search powers as it focuses on crime, while attempting to bat away perceptions of disunity.
Victorian Liberal leader Brad Battin and deputy federal party leader Ted O’Brien rallied party faithful at the annual state council in Melbourne.
In his first state council speech since becoming opposition leader, the former police officer committed to introducing Jack’s Law if the coalition wins the state election in November 2026.
The legislation would allow random weapons searches by police at any time in all public locations.
“This is essential to give police the powers to take knives off the street, not wait in hope by spending $13 million on machete bins and thinking that a crook may drop it off when he’s coming out to burgle your home,” he told reporters on Saturday.
Queensland introduced the law after the fatal stabbing of teenager Jack Beasley during a night out on the Gold Coast in 2019, with NSW passing similar legislation in 2024.
Under the Victorian coalition’s policy, police and protective services officers would have the power to use handheld metal-detecting wands in all public places.
Experts who reviewed the Queensland laws say it may detect more weapons, but there was no evidence it reduces violent crime and there was a risk of racial profiling.
“If we give (police) Jack’s Law, they will only use those laws to keep the community safe,” Mr Battin assured.
Chol Achiek, 12, and Dau Akeng, 15, died on September 6 after being ambushed by masked males armed with machetes and other weapons at Cobblebank in outer Melbourne.
The Allan government was not considering Jack’s Law, with Police Minister Anthony Carbines arguing the current system, where police were able to search for weapons in designated areas without a warrant for up to six months, was “effective”.
The coalition policy is the centrepiece of a $100 million “safer communities” plan that includes two prevention and rehabilitation programs.
Restart would be a live-in program for 12 to 17-year-old violent and repeat offenders, while Youthstart would invest in proven community-based interventions.
“If we can keep these kids on the straight and narrow, we’ll have less victims in this state,” Mr Battin said.
In his speech, the deputy federal Liberal leader said the party was “absolutely determined to come back” but said it must return to their core values of freedom, equality and a fair go.
Mr O’Brien accused the federal government of wanting to “master plan the lives of Australians”.
“What I think a lot of people don’t realise across this country is Liberal values are Australian values,” he said.
The conference comes after state director Stuart Smith stepped down and apologised over leaked WhatsApp messages showing him disparaging women within the party.
The party’s head of membership Felicity Redfern has been appointed acting state director.
With the Victorian election less than 15 months away, state party president Philip Davis has fended off a challenge from former president and senator Greg Mirabella.
“If we are incapable of governing ourselves and being able to win in 2026, in my view, we will be in a crisis,” Mr Davis said after his re-election.
Mr Davis has come under fire after the administrative committee voted to loan former state party leader John Pesutto $1.55 million to settle his $2.3 million defamation debt to first-term MP Moira Deeming.
The Hawthorn MP was facing bankruptcy and losing his seat before the committee agreed to the party loan, although some of its members are attempting to quash the move through ongoing legal action.
The absence of federal leader Sussan Ley raised questions of party disunity, but Mr Battin denied the assertion.
Federal Liberal frontbencher Tim Wilson attributed Ms Ley’s absence to “diary conflicts”.
Liberal members are debating dozens of non-binding motions across the two days, including a call on the federal division to end the pursuit of net zero by 2050.
The federal coalition is yet to announce a formal position on emissions reduction, with Ms Ley awaiting a policy review after May’s election drubbing.
AAP
