Crime emerges as top election issue for regional Victorians as November poll
A survey shows 53 per cent of regional Victorian voters rank crime as their top election concern.
Crime is shaping up as the key issue driving votes in regional Victoria's November state election. An exclusive survey found 53 per cent of Victorian voters named law and order among their top three concerns.
Roads came next at 45 per cent, followed by cost of living at 42 per cent. East Bendigo candidate Andrew Lethlean says crime ranks as one of the top two issues people raise when he doorknocks.
Voters tell him they do not feel safe at home or walking streets at night. They worry near shopping precincts.
The Nationals party has responded with court reform proposals. These include publishing sentencing data and establishing a new Court of Criminal Appeal for sentencing consistency.
They also want to give the Director of Public Prosecutions more power to appeal sentences deemed too lenient. As Bendigo Children's Court struggles with youth offenders caught up in drugs and crime.
- 53% of regional Victorian voters
- Crime as top concern
- 45% of voters
- Roads as concern
- 42% of voters
- Cost of living as concern
- November state election
- Election timing
Why it mattersPublic concern about crime is reshaping election campaigns and forcing major parties to promise law-and-order reforms, signalling what voters prioritise.
AustraliaVictoria's election campaign is being driven by regional voter anxiety about youth crime, pushing both Coalition and Labor to address court and sentencing policy.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 27 min ago
