A sickening alleged assault on a Latrobe Valley mother travelling on Gippsland’s V/Line service has intensified calls for Labor to act on regional passenger safety.
Speaking in state parliament The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath said the Allan Government must significantly boost the number of Protective Services Officers (PSO’s) on Gippsland’s train services.
Ms Bath told parliament Ms Naomi Sheppard fell victim to an alleged assault resulting in her suffering a heart attack.
“While Ms Sheppard tried to protect herself, the alleged assailant’s actions violently dislodged her implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) embedded in her chest.
“The heart regulating device malfunctioned, causing Ms Sheppard to go into cardiac arrest – following local emergency medical treatment, she was transferred to Melbourne’s Heart Hospital where she spent one week.
“The incident, which was not isolated, could have cost Ms Sheppard her life, meanwhile the alleged assailant walked away without capture.
“V/Line staff deserve to work safely without harassment and regional passengers should not have to endure any level of verbal or physical treatment on the service.
Ms Bath said Ms Sheppard’s experience was truly shocking and must serve as a wakeup call to the Allan Labor Government on rising crime and violence occurring on regional public transport.
“It is unacceptable that one individual can perform multiple acts of aggressions on one two hour journey and not be apprehended.
“Ms Sheppard said to me Gippsland V/Line passengers are treated as second class because the state government doesn’t provide regional passengers with the same personal protections as those in the city.
“There is only two PSO’s stationed at Traralgon at any given time which is woefully inadequate.
“In contrast every one of Melbourne’s 212 train stations are protected by PSO’s while only four regional stations statewide have a PSO presence.
“My Nationals’ colleague, Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron has repeatedly called on Labor to increase PSO coverage in Latrobe Valley and on our V/Line service to address antisocial and violent behaviour.
“Surely, it’s the role of government to ensure passengers on public transport arrive home securely.
“The attack on Ms Sheppard is further evidence that Labor can’t manage crime and is turning a blind eye to commuter safety in the regions.”
