Cade Lucas
Tarneit locals will rally in support of tougher law and order measures this weekend, following the recent stabbing of a teenage boy.
The ‘Save Tarneit’ rally will take place on Saturday morning at the Baden Powell skate park, the same place where the alleged incident occurred last month.
For rally organiser and former Wyndham councillor, Intaj Khan, the latest incident highlighted the need for a tougher approach to youth crime.
“We are requesting the state government change the laws and protect the community” Mr Khan said.
“This rally is about changing the laws, we need tougher laws, the laws now in place are not working.”
In order to achieve this, Mr Khan and the ‘Save Tarneit’ group are looking beyond Saturday’s rally.
On Saturday August 19 they’re hoping to march from Federation Square to State Parliament and hope to table a petition with more the 1300 signatures calling for tougher laws.
“We’d like the age (of criminal responsibility) looked into and also mechanisms for tougher sentencing and a review of the bail laws,” said Mr Khan of the specific changes they want.
However, their chances of success would appear slim, with Andrews Government recently moving in the opposite direction.
The government has already raised the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12 starting next year and to 14 by 2027.
It is also proposing to loosen bail restrictions following the coronial inquest into the death in custody of Indigenous woman Veronica Nelson.
A government spokesman said youth crime was already being addressed.
“We have made record investments in Victoria Police to ensure they have the resources they need to deter crime and keep our community safe,”
said the spokesman.
“It’s important to recognise that only a small number of young people are involved in serious violent crime, and even fewer first-time offenders.
However we know more work needs to be done – that’s why the budget continues to back early intervention and crime prevention programs to empower communities and support young people away from crime.”
Despite this, Mr Khan is convinced a tougher approach is required.
“The police are doing a great job but it’s not working.”
Until we try we don’t know.”
