2018/04: Are the claims Victoria has an African gang problem exaggerated?
Introduction to the media issue
Video clip at right: On January 3, 2018, 9 News ran a report on Federal Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton's comments on African gang violence in Victoria.What they said...
'It's the No 1 issue in Victoria'
Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt
'You've got a few hundred offenders engaging in offending in a city of four-and-a-half million people'
Victoria's Police Chief Commissioner, Graeme Ashton
The issue at a glance
On January 3, 2018, the federal Home Affairs Minister, Peter Dutton, called on Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, to take action against what the Minister termed 'African gang violence' which he claimed was prevalent in Victoria.
On December 31, 2017, similar remarks had been made by the federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt, who had stated 'We know that African gang crime in some areas in particular is clearly out of control.' Similar remarks were made by the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, who, without making specific reference to 'African gangs', stated, 'We are very concerned at the growing gang violence and lawlessness in Victoria, in particular in Melbourne.'
These comments by the Prime Minister and two prominent federal ministers were challenged by Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, Victoria's Police Minister, Lisa Neville, and several spokespeople for Victoria Police.
A number of commentators, including federal shadow minister, Anthony Albanese, accused the federal Liberal Party of trying to advantage the Liberal Party in Victoria in the lead-up to the election to be held in November, 2018.
The comments and responses have provoked further dispute about the existence and nature of a gang problem in Victoria and the extent of criminality among African refugees and their children.