The Nationals’ Melina Bath has condemned the Allan Labor Government for penny pinching and halting building and garden maintenance at local police stations because it can’t manage money.
After facing scrutiny, it was revealed state government funding cuts and budget constraints were the reason for the suspension of building and garden maintenance at Victoria Police stations.
A leaked memo revealed the full extent of the government’s cuts, warning police that:
- Lawn mowing, window and carpet cleaning will only occur if “necessary for health, safety or legislative compliance”
- Lightbulbs will only be replaced if more than half don’t work
- Security systems and plumbing will only be fixed for major failures.
Ms Bath said many of our police stations are billowing with overgrown grass and weeds, while inside defective light globes remain unreplaced.
“It is important that police stations are well maintained for amenity, workplace and public safety, especially as snake season is upon us in regional Victoria.
“While the government has backtracked, maintenance will only re-commence in the coming two months, it needs to be happening now and not at Christmas.
“It is unacceptable for our local police stations to be neglected because Labor cut $50 million from the Victoria Police budget.
“Labor’s financial mismanagement is forcing Victoria Police to work in substandard environments while crime soars across the state.
“Our hardworking officers deserve to work in safe, clean and functional workplaces, not be battling weeds, broken lighting and snakes.
“This neglect would never occur in the Premier’s office or the gardens of Parliament – our communities and police deserve better conditions than what Labor is inflicting upon them.”
