Council
21 September, 2026
Britnell slams ‘catch and release’ approach
MEMBER for South West Coast Roma Britnell has spoken out in parliament about the Labor Government’s “weak laws that are failing police and failing victims.”
Addressing parliament last week, Ms Britnell called on the state government to give Victoria Police the powers and resources they need to “do their job,” citing increased pressure on frontline officers from repeat offending and reduced access to police services across regional Victoria.
Ms Britnell said frontline police were doing everything they can, but years of pressure on police resources, reduced station access and a system that “makes their job harder” was taking its toll.
“The state government’s weak laws are failing police, failing victims and allowing serious repeat youth offending to continue without the consequences the community expects,” she said.
Her comments follow a recent serious alleged assault involving youth offenders in Warrnambool that left a man hospitalised.
Ms Britnell said police arrested those involved, only for them to be released back into the community.
“Under the youth justice framework overseen by the state government, police must consider a hierarchy of responses: first, taking no action; second, issuing a verbal warning; third, issuing a formal youth caution; and only then progressing to criminal action,’ she said.
“Labor’s four-step approach is undermining frontline police and sending the wrong message to young offenders about the consequences of their behaviour.
“Police are being asked to deal with the same offenders time and again.
“The Labor Government must give police the powers and tools they need to do their job, protect victims and keep our communities safe.”
Ms Britnell believes the government needs to examine the message being sent when repeat offenders could repeatedly come into contact with police without developing any genuine fear of the consequences.
“There have been disturbing reports of young offenders treating their interactions with police as a joke, including high-fiving one another as they left the station,” Ms Britnell said.
“The focus needs to return to allowing police to police, protecting victims and ensuring there are meaningful consequences for offending.
“The pressure on frontline police is being compounded by reduced access to police stations and counter services across regional Victoria, with Warrnambool being the only 24 hour station from Geelong to the South Australian boarder.”
Ms Britnell added that reduced station access had broader consequences for community safety as police stations had traditionally provided a physical place of refuge for people who were frightened, being followed, threatened or fleeing family violence.
“For someone desperately seeking safety, arriving at a police station to find the doors closed can have serious consequences,” she said.
“The state government must ensure regional police stations are properly resourced, frontline officers have the powers and tools required to respond to offending or repeat offending, and police are supported to put community safety first.”
Ms Britnell believes a Jess Wilson Liberal Government would strengthen bail and sentencing laws, introduce genuine ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time’ laws and establish a specialist Court of Criminal Appeal.
“The Liberals have also committed to recruiting 3,000 additional police to address Victoria’s police shortage and put more officers back on the frontline,” Ms Britnell said.
“These changes are needed to restore consequences to the justice system and ensure serious offending is met with a serious response that reflects community expectations.”
