The Nationals’ Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe has said that she is appalled by the Allan Labor Government’s decision to waste $13 million on 45 machete bins, describing it is a wasteful and misguided attempt to reduce violent crime.
All 45 bins will be rolled out across Victoria at nearly $290,000 each, alongside a public awareness campaign that runs for three months.
“I don’t know how the Allan Labor Government can justify this figure.
“Victorian taxpayers deserve to know why the cost is so high.
“This is yet another example of financial mismanagement and regional communities across the state need genuine investment in policing and community safety.
“Not wasteful spending on bins that will do nothing to address crime in the region”, Ms O’Keeffe said.
Ms O’Keeffe argues that more police is needed on the ground along with better bail reform.
“Crime is escalating, Victorians are feeling unsafe, and yet millions are being spent on a scheme that won’t address crime.
“Victoria Police remain critically underfunded and under resourced with more than 1,000 frontline positions unfilled. These are the repercussions when $50 million was cut from the police budget.
“Not to mention that police mental health services have been slashed and our regional courts are struggling to operate.
“It is unrealistic to believe that gang members or criminals will voluntarily dispose of their weapons in a CCTV-monitored police station.”
The expense, deployment strategy, and lack of proof of effectiveness raise serious questions about the government’s wasteful spending and their priorities, especially when funds could deliver tangible safety improvements like increased police staffing and targeted crime prevention.
“This is a disgraceful waste of taxpayer money and many people in the community are angry and bewildered by this cost.
“Why waste millions on bins when real police patrols and local support are needed.
“Labor can’t manage money, can’t manage crime and it’s regional Victorians who are paying the price.”
