Tony Lupton - News
Budget boost for police to keep state safe
The Member for Prahran Tony Lupton said the record $1.9 billion Victoria Police budget unveiled in the State Budget 2009 highlights the Brumby Labor Government’s commitment to investing in our police force to deliver a safer Victoria.
Mr Lupton said as part of this record investment, funding would be provided through the Government’s $10 million Police Station Priority Upgrade Program for small refurbishment and maintenance works at Prahran police station.
“Prahran police station will benefit from immediate improvements, with over $50 thousand to be spent on upgrading working conditions and station interiors,” Mr Lupton said.
“Prahran will also benefit from $500 thousand seed funding to undertake planning works for rebuilding at Prahran and South Melbourne police stations."
“The Brumby Government is committed to continually modernising and upgrading police facilities across the State to assist local police officers in keeping communities safe."
“Across the board, we are ensuring our dedicated police officers have the modern facilities they need to do their job and keep local communities safe,” Mr Lupton said.
Mr Lupton said an additional $48.3 million will go towards rebuilding police facilities across the State, including 10 in regional Victoria and planning for a further two in metro Melbourne.
“Since coming to office in 1999, this Government has committed nearly $450 million to rebuilding or significantly refurbishing over 160 police stations and residences across the State,” Mr Lupton said.
Mr Lupton also announced that there would be a toughening up of the Brumby Government’s anti-hoon regime.
“Under new laws, first-time offenders caught speeding at 70 kilometres per hour or more above the speed limit will have their vehicle immediately impounded for three months.”
Mr Lupton said new laws would also target repeat drink, drug and unauthorised drivers.
“Drivers who speed excessively, repeatedly drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or drive while disqualified will now face having their vehicle impounded by the Courts,” Mr Lupton said.
“The Brumby Government’s anti-hoon regime has been very successful as it hits hoons where it hurts by taking away their cars.
“I know our local community will join with me in welcoming a toughening up of our hoon laws as hoons are a menace to our local neighbourhood, endangering themselves and others.”
Mr Lupton said the Brumby Government recognised graffiti continued to be a problem and was responding with a further funding commitment.
“We recognise graffiti is a stain on local communities and we will deliver $4.5 million to extend the Government's successful Graffiti Prevention and Removal Strategy,” he said.
“We will continue to provide grants to local communities for graffiti removal projects and put low-risk offenders to work cleaning up graffiti as repatriation for their crimes.”
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