A report released today by the Sentencing Advisory Council has confirmed firearms offences in Victoria have risen 34% from 2012-13 to 2016-17.
The report also highlights the link between firearms offences and organised crime, with 83% of offenders having a prior history of offending and over a third being on a court order at the time of offending.
This alarming report comes after 8 fatal shootings within as many weeks and only days after Daniel Andrews’ new anti-gun laws failed at the first hurdle.
Colin Websdale, a former bikie boss with 26 criminal convictions, was able to successfully overturn his firearms prohibition order despite VCAT stating his association with the Rebels did pose a risk to public safety.
Unfortunately, law and order isn’t a priority for the Andrews Labor Government despite Victorians having the worst perceptions of safety in the nation.
David Southwick MP
Shadow Minister for Police
Shadow Minister for Community Safety
Shadow Minister for Corrections