By Afraa Kori
With crime rates on the rise, voters in the South East have identified crime as one of the top concerns in the lead-up to the Federal Election.
The Gazette online survey was designed to ensure residents had a platform to voice their concerns and highlight what truly mattered,
Last week results revealed a common anxiety, fear, and anger over rising crime and its impact on daily life.
Communities are most concerned about car thefts, knife crime, vandalism and youth gangs.
Pakenham resident Leonie Hart admits she is “always paranoid” whenever her daughter or any family member goes for a walk.
“I always tell them, ‘take your phone with you, make sure it’s recording, cross the street if you see someone approaching, check behind you constantly, and make sure you’re not being followed.’ I also don’t go out for walks anymore,” she said.
“When we first moved down here 8 years ago, it was like a big country town with a great atmosphere. But it’s changed, there’s a massive population explosion and all the development that’s going on.”
The tough-on-crime approach received widespread support, with calls for stricter bail laws, a machete ban, and harsher deportation policies for repeat offenders.
“The youth of today have just got the attitude of ‘we can do anything and nothing will happen to us’. I wouldn’t have much confidence in the justice system,” Maxwell Chamberlin said.
“There was a 17-year-old who had been bailed 40 times. What’s the point of the police going out and arresting them? There’s no repercussions. It’s absolutely pathetic,” Leonie said.
“Bring back conscription. These kids are bored and parents are afraid to parent because everyone is so sensitive and offended. Conscription into the defence will sort out the troubled youth and build our military,” Aiden said.
Despite shared support for a tough-on-crime approach, voters are divided on who to back, with some supporting Labor and others leaning toward the Liberals.
“I’m voting Liberal. I’ve got to have a change and see if something different can be done. I doubt crime will improve if Labor wins. They’re not handling it at all right now,” Maxwell said.
“In the last election I voted Labor and after that, I voted Liberal. I’m voting Labor now because the Liberals don’t have any policy to address crime management at the moment,” Leonie said.
