Deputy Premier Ben Carroll has declared that “kids who commit violent crime should face time,” calling for a tougher approach to law and order as violent incidents continue to grip Melbourne.
Speaking on Saturday at the Melbourne Italian Festa in Carlton, Carroll — who also serves as Education Minister — said his government must adopt “smarter sentencing for safer streets” and a “zero tolerance” stance to end what he described as growing lawlessness.
“From the CBD to Cobblebank, we must end this lawlessness,” Carroll said. “Nothing that is bad behaviour affecting the peace of mind of law-abiding citizens should be tolerated.”
The Deputy Premier’s comments follow a series of shocking attacks in Melbourne, including a recent daylight stabbing in the CBD that has raised public fears about safety and sparked debate over the government’s handling of crime.
Business leaders have urged Premier Jacinta Allan to “stop quoting statistics” and instead restore public confidence with a visible police presence. Wes Lambert, Chief Executive of Restaurant and Catering Australia, said the city was developing a “wild west” image. “If we have to do like New York City in the 1990s, with a police officer on every corner, then we should,” he said.
Grant Cohen, Managing Director of the Block Arcade, echoed those sentiments, adding: “If Rudy Giuliani cleaned up Manhattan, I think we can clean up Melbourne.”
Premier Jacinta Allan has been under increasing pressure after footage emerged showing a woman being randomly stabbed on her way to work in the CBD. While Allan praised Victoria Police for swiftly arresting the suspect, she initially avoided directly stating whether the CBD remains safe.
After follow-up questions from the Herald Sun, Allan later insisted that Melbourne “is a safe and welcoming place to live, shop and work,” acknowledging however that the recent violence had shaken public confidence.
Opposition Leader Brad Battin accused Allan’s government of “losing control” over law and order. “If you’re the Premier walking around with security, you may feel safe,” he said, “but ordinary Victorians don’t.”
The Allan government is also facing scrutiny over its bail laws after it was revealed that the alleged attacker in the stabbing case was out on bail at the time of the incident. Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams defended the government, saying recent bail reforms are “still washing through the system,” but added that remand rates are already rising.
Premier Allan commended Victoria Police’s new Chief Commissioner, Mike Bush, for his efforts to tackle crime more effectively but rejected calls for Queensland-style “Jack’s Law,” which would allow officers to use handheld metal detectors.
As public concern over safety grows, Carroll’s strong stance signals a potential shift within the government — one that seeks to reassure Victorians that crime will no longer be tolerated on Melbourne’s streets.
