Restoring Melbourne as the most liveable city in the world

A jewel in the crown – a title once afforded to the world’s most liveable city. Melbourne had broken its own record and was the first city ever to win the title for seven consecutive years.

Present-day Melbourne, however, paints a very different image. One that resembles empty shopfronts, closed cafes, rampant crime, homelessness, reduced police on the beat and a pervading fear of lawlessness overshadowing our once vibrant city.

Safety is fundamental. Today, too many don’t feel secure in our streets. As a former police officer, I know the cost of that unease. It affects foot traffic, local businesses, and confidence.

The Liberals and Nationals fight for more police resources, so we can end the situation where even the City of Melbourne must hire private security guards to patrol the streets to protect staff because there aren’t enough police to support them.

I’ll restore move-on laws to ensure protests don’t paralyse the city, and I’ll clean up graffiti to bring pride back to our streetscapes.

It’s no wonder that business confidence in Melbourne and Victoria is at historic lows when you consider that more than 60 new and increased taxes that have been added by the State Government in the last ten years.

We’ll ease red tape and support an environment where businesses can grow.

So, my question is: how do we build a safe, confident city when crimes go unchecked, shops are closing, and homelessness across Greater Melbourne is as high as it has ever been?

In the year ending March 2025, 53 per cent of criminal offences in the Local Government Area (LGA) of Melbourne are currently unsolved. This equates to a staggering 23,685 unsolved offences.

This government has abandoned master plans, ignored council requests, and left billions in planning applications gathering dust – all in the middle of a housing crisis.

They are taxing and spending more than ever – yet mismanagement has us paying billions of dollars a year on interest rather than on what the community needs. This government is spending money, but not on things that matter, and small and medium businesses are paying the price.

The State Labor Government has doubled the emergency services levy, and left councils to send the bill to hardworking Victorians to pay the price. They increase landfill levies but don’t reinvest in local areas to improve waste collection and raise money from developers, but don’t spend it in those communities.

The State enforces consultation requirements on councils but fails to do it themselves. Under my leadership, we’ll work with councils to restore their voice and clarify responsibilities – so councils can focus on local priorities, not cover for state failures.

Whether as a police officer, a small business owner, or a local MP, I’ve learned that leadership starts with listening. It’s about showing up, being honest, and solving real problems.

Over the next 18 months, we’ll be talking to as many of you as possible – because solutions start with your voice, not our assumptions.

We intend to re-vitalise our great city of Melbourne, so all of Victoria can thrive.

Let’s make it a city that’s safe, liveable, vibrant, and full of opportunity for generations to come. •

Brad Battin is the leader of the Victorian Opposition and the Victorian Liberal Party.