17/06/2026
Our summary here of the Ballarat Courier article and a link for subscribers below.
Ballarat City Council has formally urged the Victorian Premier and Police Minister to immediately increase local frontline police numbers, arguing that the city’s rapid population growth and rising crime demand urgent action. The motion seeks to lift Ballarat’s police roster from 142 to 163 officers.
The push follows internal data showing police spend up to 80% of their operational time responding to domestic and family violence. Cr Ted Lapkin, who moved the motion, described Ballarat as “drowning under a tidal wave of crime”, citing Crime Statistics Agency figures showing criminal incidents rising from 8,920 to 10,856 in 2025, with more than half unsolved.
However, the motion was amended by Cr Tess Morgan to prioritise specialised family violence and sexual assault units rather than general police increases. She argued that more officers alone will not reduce family violence, noting that only around 20% of incidents are reported. Federation University expert Dr Margaret Camilieri backed this view, warning that broad police expansion produces mixed results and must be paired with increased case‑worker support.
The debate comes amid a $50 million cut to the Victoria Police budget in 2025. Former police officers Cr Damon Saunders and Cr Des Hudson supported the call for more officers, citing overstretched rosters, burnout, and reduced patrol visibility. Hudson described a recent incident where no units were available to respond to a stolen vehicle he followed for 15 minutes. The motion split the council, raising concerns about political neutrality. Mayor Tracey Hargreaves voted against it, saying councillors had no official police briefing or verified data. Cr Ben Taylor also opposed it, arguing the resolution was symbolic and would not deliver structural change.
Thinned ranks and rising crime drive a push for more front-line police.
