Victorian Liberals have dubbed it a “hollow promise” but Labor’s commitment of $15 million for 24/7 police services at Mernda and Doreen was talk of the towns over the weekend.
A community rally on Sunday heard from Victorian Police Association secretary Ron Iddles that the police to public ratio in Whittlesea is nearly half the state average, which in itself is the third-worst in the country.
The rally was attended by shadow police minister Wade Noonan and Yan Yean’s Labor MP Danielle Green as well as Whittlesea mayor Mary Lalios.
Notable exceptions were Upper House Liberal MP Craig Ondarchie and Yan Yean’s Liberal candidate Sam Ozturk, according to campaign organiser Tom Joseph, who said he was “very disappointed” that despite numerous approaches, local Liberals had failed to expedite a meeting with government police officials to put their case.
“I am extremely frustrated that not only did Sam Ozturk stay away from the rally but the Liberal government has not granted our campaign an appointment to meet the police minister or the parliamentary secretary for police,” Mr Joseph said.
“Our campaign will now focus on informing the voters of the fact that the Liberal Party has no policy position on policing in Mernda.
“Our large number of volunteers will now start door-knocking and letter boxing to get our message across to the voters of the seat of Yan Yean.”
Mr Joseph, a former Liberal who was “encouraged” to resign because of his Mernda Needs a Police Station campaign activities, said the campaign’s Facebook page continues to gather momentum.
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