Law and order battle
McKiterick claims to be better placed for solutions on crime
THE policeman challenging Victoria’s Police Minister in the state election has fired the first shot of the campaign, claiming he is better positioned to represent a community fearing a drug-fuelled rise of violent crime.
In his first interview since being named the Liberal candidate in Bellarine, Brian McKiterick said law and order would be at the forefront of his campaign for election.
Mr McKiterick — a policeman, former Surf Coast mayor and current councillor — will need a 5 per cent swing to dethrone Bellarine MP and Police Minster Lisa Neville.
He said a rise of once “unthinkable” crimes such as carjackings and home invasions left the community in fear, with the Government failing to fix the problem.
“You have people who are very concerned that during the night someone may be entering their house and confronting them — which is something that hasn’t faced Victorians until recently,” Mr McKiterick said.
“Over the last three years there has been a number of crimes that were unthinkable to occur in our community until recently — carjackings, home invasions, serious assaults during those types of offences, an increase in groups causing disruption not only in the city but within communities, and there’s a sort of fear.”
After almost 40 years as a policeman, Mr McKiterick said the rise of ice use was behind growing crime concerns.
“Ice is a huge scourge in our community that drives a lot of the crime,” he said. “Being involved in drug investigations throughout Geelong, it’s quite obvious that ice is responsible for a significant amount of the crime that is committed.
“The ice issue has a flow-on effect; there may not be a lot of people in your community using ice but those using it in other communities will then infiltrate into those other communities to commit their crimes to support their habits.
“That’s not just thefts and burglaries, it’s also carjackings and more violent crimes.”
Mr McKiterick said more needed to be done to look at legislation to find better ways of dealing with ice and crime.
He also said he would be better positioned to deal with law and order issues.
“I think, as a police officer, I have a very sound and on-theground awareness of the problems involving law and order, and I believe I’ll be in a better position to make decisions in government for not only the Bellarine, but also the Victorian community with respect to law and order,” he said.
Sustainable growth, sustainable energy sourcing and improved transport links are also priorities Mr McKiterick plans to campaign on.
“The Bellarine is a beautiful place to live but the infrastructure’s been missing, and there needs to be a stronger voice for that community,” he said.
“The sardine approach to public transport needs to be addressed . . . we need to have a look at a realistic approach.”
Following Mr McKiterick’s preselection, Ms Neville said she looked forward to a respectful relationship between the pair in their campaigns.
“Elections for me are about the community, not the candidate,” she said. “My focus will be on continuing to deliver the services, infrastructure and support the community needs.
“My priorities continue to be with making our community safer, making sure families have the health and education services they need and investing in roads and the sporting and community infrastructure critical to quality of life.”
The State Election will be held on November 24.