Hinch: ‘Something is rotten in Victoria’
Senator Derryn Hinch says Victoria will soon need to change its numberplates to “The Crime State”.
The long-time crime crusader turned politician launched an extraordinary attack on the Andrews Government in the Senate on Tuesday night, declaring violence in his home state as “out of control”.
He said Melbourne was now “barely recognised” as a place that had long been lauded the “most liveable city in the world’.
“Something is rotten in the state of Victoria. Really rotten,” Senator Hinch said.
“Street crime, gang crime, home invasions, car jackings, prison riots, and a court system that lets a man out on bail despite strenuous police opposition and it results in carnage in the Bourke Street Mall.”
Hinch pointed to “dozens of Sudanese youths” terrorising Caroline Springs at the weekend.
“I’ll identify them as Sudanese even though it’s political incorrect to do so,” he said.
“Dozens of Sudanese youths terrorised and terrified families at a community fireworks night … running through the crowd snatching mobile phones and hand bags. Punching anyone who resisted.”
He said one teenager was bashed and had his phone stolen “right outside the Caroline Springs police station”.
Senator Hinch accused authorities of treating troublemakers with “kid gloves” and giving them ice cream and pizzas while in juvenile detention as rewards for behaving themselves.
“Although the way the current government treats them you can understand if they see themselves as clients. Or customers.
He also attacked the Victorian Government for subsiding taxis and Uber rides for the parents of offenders in youth detention to visit them.
Senator Hinch also attacked the bail system, saying he was surprised that young offenders where behind bars at all because “they usually get bailed so easily”.
“Thugs repeatedly are given chance after chance out on bail and go on to commit further offences,” he said.
“The justice system and magistrates continue to put the offender first and the victim and community protection last.”
“Jesus wept. How much have they learned since? Mollycoddling doesn’t work. Ignoring reality doesn’t work.”
“The way things are going our next numberplate slogan shouldn’t be ‘Victoria: The Garden State’ or ‘Victoria: The Place To Be’.
It should be ‘Victoria, The Crime State’.”