Bendigo Deserves Better: My Plan for a Safer Community

CRIME in Bendigo is on the rise. That’s not just my opinion, it’s what locals are telling me every single day.

I’ve walked the streets, spoken to small business owners, met with parents who are afraid for their kids, and stood alongside residents at crime protests outside Premier Jacinta Allan’s office.

The message is clear: enough is enough.

People like Gwen Kerr – a 75-year-old woman who should feel safe in her own home – are living in fear. Her housing complex was set on fire. Days later, her home was invaded.

When I met Gwen, she told me she had lost faith in the government. She has voted Labor her whole life, but not this time. She’s had enough, and she’s not alone.

Bendigo needs action, not excuses. And I won’t be passing the buck. Crime is everybody’s problem, and we need all levels of government working together to fix it. That’s why I’m already taking steps to make Bendigo safer.

I’ve announced a $360,000 commitment from a revitalised Safer Communities Fund to upgrade 57 CCTV cameras across the City of Greater Bendigo. This investment will strengthen surveillance in crime hotspots, helping police prevent and solve crimes. It’s a practical, immediate step toward making our community safer.

But we must do more. If I’m elected, I will:

Hold a Local Crime Summit in my first 100 days – bringing together Victoria Police, community leaders, educators, social workers, and

business representatives to identify what’s working and what’s not. We need real solutions, not political point-scoring.

Secure more funding for Crime Stoppers – so that the community can report crime safely and anonymously, helping law enforcement crack down on offenders.

Push for stronger bail laws and tougher sentencing – because repeat offenders shouldn’t be given a free pass to terrorise our community. Queensland has recently introduced laws requiring “adult time for adult crime” – this is something we should consider here in Victoria.

Invest in youth diversion programs – supporting teachers who are dealing with poor behaviour in schools and funding local sporting clubs and community groups to keep young people engaged in positive activities.

Advocate for more frontline police and better public safety infrastructure – including better lighting, upgraded sporting facilities, and more secure public transport options.

This isn’t just a policy plan, it’s a commitment. If elected, I will review these initiatives every 12 months to ensure they’re delivering real results.

The people of Bendigo deserve to feel safe in their own homes, in their businesses, and on their streets. The current approach isn’t working. It’s time for leadership that listens and acts.

Bendigo, I’m standing with you. Let’s make our community safe again.

Andrew Lethlean

The Nationals Candidate for Bendigo

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