Melbourne Street Stabbing Sparks Fresh Safety Fears

A police car parked outside the East Melbourne police station in Victoria, Australia, on Oct. 27, 2023. Susan Mortimer/The Epoch Times

The Victorian Opposition has taken aim at the Labor government’s handling of public safety following a stabbing attack on Chapel Street, Melbourne.

The alleged offender is still on the run, prompting police to launch an investigation into the incident.

Shadow Police Minister David Southwick said the Allan Labor government was “failing” to keep Victorians safe.

“Whether it is police being underfunded, courts being overcrowded, prisons being empty, and ultimately, criminals on the streets committing absolute havoc,” he told reporters in a press conference.

“We’re seeing today a violent attack in Chapel Street, Prahran. Our thoughts are with the victim and their families. These are offences that ultimately will lead to the loss of lives.

“When will this end? We are pleading with the other Labor government to do more and make law and order an absolute priority in this state.”

In a post to X, Southwick also raised concerns with the government’s spending on policing, noting there were less officers on the job.

“Reports today show Labor is spending less on policing while crime is out of control. Under Labor, fewer police are on the beat, the courts are backed up, and prison beds are sitting empty while offenders roam free. Time is up Jacinta Allan. Make safety a priority,” he said.

Chapel Street Stabbing

A Victorian Police spokesperson confirmed to the Epoch Times that they were investigating the stabbing in Melbourne on Feb. 5.

“It is understood the male victim was stabbed by an unknown offender on Chapel St just before 8 am. The victim was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries,” police said.

“It is believed the parties may be known to each other.”

The police encouraged anyone who witnessed the incident or who had CCTV, dashcam footage, or information to contact Crime Stoppers.

The Epoch Times has contacted the office of Victorian Police Minister Anthony Carbines for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

Bail Laws Up for Debate

As police search for the stabbing suspect, the debate over Victoria’s crime laws intensifies, ahead of a crucial by-election.

This election is set to take place in Victoria on Feb. 8 following the resignation of former treasurer Tim Pallas on Jan. 6.

Amid election pressure, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has revealed the government will consider reforming bail laws to improve community safety.

“It’s just simply unacceptable to me that many Victorians, particularly women and children, aren’t feeling as safe as they should. We do need to look at what more needs to be done,” she told reporters at a press conference on Feb. 4.

“As a premier, I will act, I will listen to those concerns and take action to support the safety of Victorian families.”

However, Police Minister Carbines stopped short of providing specific details on how the review would work.

“I wouldn’t even say that there’s particularly a review. We’re always working on what more we can do to keep the community safe,” he stated in a press conference on Feb. 5.

Leader of the Opposition Brad Battin said Victoria needs tougher bail laws—not another review—to protect the community.

“Violent offenders who break into homes with machetes don’t belong on the street. They don’t deserve to be released from custody in record time, only to terrorise another family in their home. Enough is enough,” he said.

Shadow Attorney General Michael O'Brien echoed these concerns.

“Premier Allan was warned that her weakening of bail laws would see repeat violent offenders remain on the streets and put Victorians’ safety at risk. It should never have come to this,” he said.

However, the Australian Lawyer’s Alliance raised concerns that tightening bail laws would “cause harm” and not make the community safer.

“Keeping more people in prison on remand will not improve community safety and is a slap in the face to the people who worked so hard to positively reform bail laws after the tragic death of Veronica Nelson,” said Greg Barns of the Australian Lawyers Alliance.