Education Minister Martin Dixon with the Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes today announced Benalla West Primary School, Bright P-12 College and Euroa Secondary College are among the first in the state to sign up to the Victorian Coalition Government funded $10.5 million eSmart cyberbullying program.
eSmart is a cybersafety program created by Alannah and Madeline Foundation and will be available to every government school across the state and 300 Catholic and independent schools over the next four years.
So far, 290 Victorian government schools and 108 Catholic and independent schools have registered to be part of the program.
Dr Sykes said, “I’d like to congratulate the three schools in the Benalla Electorate, which have joined 398 schools across Victoria in becoming the first to register for eSmart.
“Cyberbullying can have devastating effects on our young people, and even in some tragic cases has resulted in suicide.
“Students today spend a lot of time in the cyber world and it is important they are provided with the tools they need to stay safe in that place.
“It is good to see schools serious about stamping out bullying and creating safe places where students can learn and support each other.”
The Victorian Government will provide schools in the Benalla Electorate with $2000 each to help them implement eSmart.
Schools will establish committees from existing staff to oversee and develop cyberbullying policies and programs with teachers assisted with professional development and training.
Mr Dixon said he was confident eSmart would provide students with practical tips about behaving safely and appropriately online.
eSmart teaches students about protecting themselves from risks including cyberbullying and sexting, and also about the importance of protecting their own privacy.
The Alannah and Madeline Foundation worked with the RMIT School of Education and other education experts over three years to develop the school resource.
eSmart will play a key role in delivering on the Victorian Government’s commitment to stamp out bullying, combat violence in schools and provide students and parents with the support they need.
The Victorian Government has also provided $4 million over four years to review and update bullying policies and programs for Victorian schools.
Other initiatives under the government’s Stamp Out Bullying plan include new legislation to crack down on workplace and other forms of bullying, greater powers to principals to suspend and expel students and search for dangerous weapons and the establishment of a further 150 Primary Welfare Officer positions over the next four years.

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes has welcomed a recent announcement by the Deputy Premier Peter Ryan on the formation of a Livestock and Farm Crime Specialists Group within Victoria Police.
“Livestock theft and other farm related crimes such as machinery and equipment theft are significant issues and causes real financial hardship and distress to honest, hard working farming families.
“Many farmers in this electorate have livestock with impressive bloodlines, which can only be achieved through years of diligent management. The theft of livestock in these situations can be devastating to the ongoing quality of stud herds and flocks and the farm enterprise.
“The Benalla Electorate has a large number absentee landowners and farming families who work away from their properties. This creates opportunities for thieves and often means theft can go without detection for long periods.”
Dr Sykes said with livestock theft and farm crime an increasing problem in regional Victoria the establishment of a specialist group to target the problem is good news for farmers.
Dr Sykes said livestock theft was a unique crime and required good local knowledge and specialist investigative skills and a good partnership between government, police and agricultural groups to catch those responsible.
The initiative includes;
• A statewide network of police investigators undertaking extensive training to form the Livestock and Farm Crime Specialists Group and act as a point of contact by farmers;
• A committee, chaired by Victoria Police, and including representatives from the Victorian Farmers Federation, Department of Primary Industries, the Municipal Association of Victoria, the Stock Agents Association of Victoria and other agencies, will meet regularly to discuss emerging trends and issues relating to livestock theft and farm related crime;
• An online intranet ‘investigation hub’ will be launched and sit within the Victoria Police website; and
• The Victoria Police Crime Department will conduct a six monthly Livestock and Agricultural conference to be conducted by the Victoria Police Crime Department to look at current trends and how they relate to specific regions.

Legislation introduced into Parliament this week to reduce the risk to people from dangerous dogs has been welcomed by the Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes.
The Crimes and Domestic Animals Acts Amendment (Offences and Penalties) Bill 2011 is part of a number of measures being put in place by the Victorian Coalition Government to ensure that our streets are safe from dangerous dogs.
Speaking in Parliament on the Bill Dr Sykes said, “The Baillieu-Ryan Government has responded quickly to the tragic incident that occurred in September, when a little girl was killed. We have strong community support for what we are doing and we have put in place a logical set of measures.
“Firstly the Bill creates new indictable offences for failing to control a dangerous, menacing or restricted breed dog resulting in the death of a person or where it endangers the life of a person. There is an increase in the penalties to make it clear that these actions will not be tolerated in the future.
“There is also a requirement that restricted breed dogs wear an identifying collar. The Bill also prohibits the sale or transfer of restricted breed dogs to any person other than an immediate family member, and that is to occur only upon the death of the owner.”
Dr Sykes said the Government brought forward the closing date of the amnesty period for registration of dangerous dogs to 29 September 2011 but there were supposedly quite a few dogs not yet registered.
“The next phase is to identify these dogs. The establishment of the Dangerous Dog Hotline has already generated around 1400 calls with approximately 500 resulting in dogs being reported to relevant local government areas.”
Dr Sykes said there is a commitment that local government will be supported in administering the new legislation and the needs of local government will be assessed individually.
He said the identification of what constitutes a restricted breed dog will be supported by the Standard for Restricted Breed Dogs in Victoria to help identify pit bull terriers and their crosses.
“Part of this legislation is to ensure owners in charge of dangerous dogs are responsible if a dog commits an offence. If the dog is in the hands of another person, there is a requirement for a successful prosecution to demonstrate that that other person engaged in reckless conduct which meant that the dog was not under control and that conduct placed another person in danger of death.”
Dr Sykes highlighted the need for community support of the tough stance against dangerous dogs.
“There is a saying ‘you cannot legislate for cooperation’ and we will need members of the community to support the legislation by keeping their eyes open.”
Dr Sykes said the other important aspect of the legislation was by supporting it with an education component.
“It is the responsibility of all of us not only to have an understanding of dog behaviour but to teach those around us, particularly children.
“We will put in place all of these measures which will also be monitored and the Government will do what is needed to achieve the objective of making our streets as safe as possible.
“We have strong community support for what we are doing and I am sure we will reduce the risks to people and that they will be grateful for the efforts of the government.”
Dr Sykes concluded by noting that the Opposition is supporting the Bill and acknowledged the efforts of departmental staff and others involved in writing up the legislation at short notice.

Country Victorians are invited to have their say on confusing and potentially dangerous stretches of road with too many speed limit changes, Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said today.
Dr Sykes said, “It is important that speed limits are applied consistently across the state to ensure that they are easy for drivers to adhere to.
“I encourage residents who are aware of situations in towns and areas throughout the Benalla Electorate where speed signs could be potentially confusing for drivers to make a submission.”
The State Government has requested VicRoads to conduct the review to make speed limits simpler, more consistent and easier to understand for all Victorians.
Dr Sykes said that people within the Benalla Electorate who feel that there are too many speed changes on a street, or believe they have a solution to make speed limits easier to understand, should make a submission.
Speed limits are set to provide a balance between safety and mobility, with consideration given to traffic, pedestrians and surrounding developments.
People interested in making a submission can check the Terms of Reference on the VicRoads website at www.vicroads.vic.gov.au.
Submissions are now open until 11 October 2011 and can be sent to speedreview@roads.vic.gov.au or mailed to Speed Limit Review, 60 Denmark Street, Kew VIC 3101.
The Minister for Roads, Terry Mulder said the output of the review would be a report outlining proposed changes to speed zone guidelines, the application of existing speed zone guidelines, changes to existing speed limits and communications activity to support speed limits.
VicRoads will complete the review by December 2011 and present the findings to the government.

The Coalition Government has launched grants of up to $250,000 for local councils to fund major projects to prevent crime and make their communities safer.
Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes MP, today encouraged councils in north east Victoria to apply for Public Safety Infrastructure Fund grants.
“This new grants program is part of the Coalition Government’s $39 million commitment to community crime prevention and will help councils improve security and community safety,” Dr Sykes said.
“The Government recognises that local councils are best placed to develop strategies for addressing local crime problems and these grants will support them to do so.”
Dr Sykes said that the grants of up to $250,000 would support councils in developing a variety of public safety infrastructure, including:
• Closed-circuit television systems
• Vandal-resistant external lighting systems
• Security grade doors
• Perimeter fencing
• Bollards
• Window treatments and screens
• Alarms for community assets and facilities

“Streetscape and amenity improvements in public spaces designed to minimise the risks of crime and support safe behaviour, for example by encouraging mixed-use of open spaces, or enhancing natural surveillance, will also be part of the funding.”
He said the grants were part of the Coalition Government’s broader $39 million community crime prevention agenda which includes Community Safety Fund and graffiti removal grants to support local councils and community groups.
“Action on community safety and crime prevention is a high priority for the Coalition Government and this initiative will help to make communities safer across Victoria.
“Local communities can actively contribute to crime prevention through identifying local crime problems, providing potential solutions and promoting local involvement.
“Community action can achieve practical and positive outcomes and the Coalition Government is committed to supporting Victorian communities to achieve community-based crime prevention solutions.”
For further information please visit www.justice.vic.gov.au/infrastructuregrants

Councils in the Benalla Electorate now have access to grants of up to $25,000 to target graffiti under an expanded program that has cleaned up one million square metres of graffiti across Victoria.

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said applications for graffiti grants of between $5,000 and $25,000 would open tomorrow to help councils and local community and sporting groups form partnerships to fight graffiti.

“Over the past six years, offenders working on graffiti clean-up teams across Victoria have cleaned up more than one million square metres of graffiti, an area equal to the size of 50 MCG playing fields,” Dr Sykes said

“This year, the Coalition Government committed $13.5 million to a zero-tolerance approach to graffiti, and is providing these grants to fund projects for the prevention and removal of graffiti at the local level.

“These grants will fund projects that deter, prevent and clean-up graffiti, such as graffiti removal kits and trailers, education programs and environmental design features such as murals.”

Dr Sykes said grants would be open to councils to partner with resident’s groups, retailers and local business, community service organisations, community and sporting groups, police and utility companies to deliver projects.

“The Coalition Government’s commitment to stamping out graffiti includes a $4 million boost to roll out a rapid response program to deliver additional clean-up services at graffiti hotspots,” he said.

“The rapid response program will not only act as a strike team to remove graffiti from problem areas, it will also gather intelligence that can be fed back to councils to prevent, deter and potentially prosecute those responsible for graffiti.”

Up to 48 offender work teams under the supervision of Community Correctional Services each week will remove graffiti from state and local government assets, community assets and private property under the supervision of Community Correction Services.

Since the Graffiti Removal Program began, it has provided more than $25 million worth of graffiti removal services and accounts for almost 340,000 hours of unpaid community work worth $8.3 million.

Dr Sykes said the grants were part of the Coalition Government’s broader community crime prevention agenda, aimed at empowering communities to find local solutions to local issues.

Community groups and councils in the Benalla Electorate can now access grants of up to $10,000 for local crime prevention initiatives as part of the Victorian Coalition Government’s Community Safety Fund.

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes today encouraged local community and sporting groups throughout North East Victoria to apply for the Community Safety Fund (CSF) grants.

“The Coalition Government recognises that communities are best placed to identify and prioritise issues of concern regarding local crime and safety, and we will support them to do so,” Dr Sykes said.

In the first phase of funding, the CSF will provide one-off, non-recurrent grants of up to $10,000 to councils, community, sporting and business groups, and local state government schools to implement practical community safety projects.

Dr Sykes said this includes projects such as installing security lighting, padlocks, security screens, and fencing, or undertaking awareness activities to deter crime and increase community safety.

The CSF grants program will be implemented over a four-year period, as part of the Coalition Government’s Community Crime Prevention Program.

Minister for Crime Prevention Andrew McIntosh said the Community Crime Prevention Program had been established to engage, support and build local community capacity to address local crime and safety issues.

“Action on community safety and crime prevention is a high priority for the Coalition Government and this initiative will help make communities safer across Victoria,” Mr McIntosh said.

“Alongside law enforcement and the criminal justice system, the implementation of crime prevention initiatives can reduce the risk of crimes occurring, increase community safety and improve community confidence in the safety of local areas.

“Local communities can actively contribute to crime prevention through identifying local crime problems, providing potential solutions and promoting local involvement in action.”

The Community Safety Fund grants form part of the Coalition Government’s $39 million commitment to deliver a suite of initiatives to make our communities safer.

For application forms, guidelines and other information please visit www.justice.vic.gov.au/safetygrants

New packaged liquor bottle shops in Victoria will be required to apply for planning approval after a change to planning permit requirements approved by the Coalition Government last week.
Dr Sykes said that bottle shops and retail outlets selling packaged liquor will no longer be exempted from the planning process.
“The Baillieu-Ryan Government is delivering on its election commitment to require bottle shops to justify their presence in the community in the same way as other licensed premises.
“This means local councils and the community will now have an active role in deciding the location of new bottle shops.”
Dr Sykes said the operation of packaged liquor bottle shops was raised by liquor licensees with the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Michael O’Brien when he held local meetings with them in the Benalla Electorate on Thursday 31 March 2011.
“One of the concerns raised with the Minister at these meetings was the need for package liquor outlets to be more accountable for excess purchases and consumption for the benefit of community health and safety.
“Liquor licensees said they were expected to sell and supply alcohol responsibly and that packaged liquor outlets must do the same, including pricing and hours of operation.”
Dr Sykes said the Coalition’s actions on giving communities a say about new packaged liquor outlets in their local area should help address some of these concerns.
Under the former Labor Government, local communities were shut out of the planning process because bottle shops were exempt from planning laws.
“Labor even ignored a recommendation from its own Liquor Control Advisory Council, which told the former government in March 2008 that the planning exemption for bottle shops should be scrapped.”
The Baillieu-Ryan Government’s new permit requirement will be supported with guidelines to help councils assess the cumulative impact of bottle shops in a local community.
The new guidelines will also be able to be used to help councils assess the impact of other licensed premises within a locality.
“The Coalition’s actions bring to an end the era of bottle shops being allowed to set up in inappropriate locations with no regard to the views of families living nearby.”
Dr Sykes concluded, “Victorian families will now have the opportunity to comment to their local council under planning laws if they are concerned about the impact or appropriateness of a new bottle shop opening in their local area.”

The Minister for Consumer Affairs, Michael O’Brien held consultative meetings at the Euroa Hotel, Thoona Hotel and Happy Valley Hotel, Ovens on Thursday 31 March with liquor licensees from North East Victoria to discuss improvements to Victoria’s licensing regime for country hotels, low volume liquor outlets and seasonal traders.
Minister O’Brien said he appreciated the invitation from the Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes to consult with local business operators on how to address existing disadvantages in the liquor licence risk based fee structure which were introduced by the former Brumby Government.
Licensees from Thornton, Mansfield, Longwood, Undera, Violet Town, Devenish, Boho South, Benalla, Tungamah, Tawonga South, Falls Creek, Mt Hotham, Myrtleford attended the meetings.
Dr Sykes said, “Country hotels, low volume liquor outlets and seasonal traders remain disadvantaged by massive liquor licence fee increases introduced by the previous government.
“The Baillieu-Ryan Government is listening to the concerns of licensees so that we can continue to deliver for these businesses throughout North East Victoria.”
Minister O’Brien said that in opposition the Liberal Nationals had opposed changes to how renewal fees were calculated because they meant many low risk based businesses were unfairly penalised with massive renewal fee increases.
The Baillieu-Ryan Government has already dramatically reduced unfair liquor licence fees for community clubs and plans to introduce a five star rating system for licensees. This system will mean that licensees with good records will have licence fees reduced whereas those with infringements will incur increased fees.
Dr Sykes has been fighting for amendments to be made to the licensing regime on behalf of businesses in his Electorate for more than 18 months.
“At last we have a Minister who is willing to discuss these issues in person and listen to proposals from licensees on how to implement positive change.”
One of the suggestions put by local licensees was the provision to have a 12 midnight licence option at a reduced fee compared with the current choices of 11pm and 1am. The Minister is going to investigate this option.
The Minister said that under a Liberal Nationals Government the Liquor Licensing Commission team will take a more proactive approach in its dealings with liquor licensees including checks to ensure they have the most appropriate licence for their business. This may result in significant fee reductions in many cases.
He said licensees and police would be encouraged to work together to develop and implement a liquor licence accord, and made reference to existing successful accords operating in Mansfield and Wangaratta.
In addition the Baillieu-Ryan Government has introduced legislation to give licensees increased power to tackle antisocial behaviour in and around licensed venues and increased penalties for drunken, loutish and threatening behaviour.
Dr Sykes concluded, “I look forward to Minister O’Brien taking on board local licensees suggestions and coming up with a more fair risk based liquor licence fee structure. I will keep on the case.”

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes has sought clarification on recent changes to knife laws after contact from farmers concerned about the potential impact of the new laws on their livelihoods.
Dr Sykes said, “Farmers throughout my electorate including the Mansfield and Myrtleford areas reacted strongly to recent newspaper advertisements which stated ‘new police powers to search anyone for weapons…anywhere…anytime’.”
Dr Sykes said many farmers, hunters and tradespeople who needed to use knives as part of their daily work were concerned changes to knife laws had made carrying a knife illegal.
Under the new laws people aged 16 years and over who are caught carrying a knife illegally face an on-the-spot fine of $1000 or $2000 if inside or within 20 metres of a licensed venue.
Dr Sykes said that this only applies if the person cannot demonstrate a lawful excuse for carrying a knife or other controlled weapon such as a cattle prod. Flick knives were a prohibited weapon and cannot be carried at any time.
A lawful excuse includes;
• The pursuit of any lawful employment, duty or activity;
• Participation in any lawful sport, recreation or entertainment; and
• The legitimate collection, display and exhibition of weapons.
Dr Sykes said however that farmers should be aware that if they were in a licensed premises and carrying a knife in a pocket then the same lawful excuse may not apply – that would depend on the determination of any police involved in a search.
If deemed an infringement then the courts would decide validity of excuse.
“I would encourage farmers and tradespeople who may find themselves in a pub after finishing work to be aware that they are not carrying any tools of the trade with them that may not meet with the lawful excuse rule.
“These laws have been designed to halt the culture of knife crime in urban centres and not to affect how farmers and tradespeople go about their work.
“However it is important that people are aware of their obligations under the law.
“From January next year it will become illegal to sell knives to people under the age of 18.
“There are also hefty penalties if knives are not carried safely and some knives such as flick knives, daggers and throwing blades, are prohibited,” Dr Sykes concluded.
Descriptions and examples of prohibited and controlled weapons are available on the Justice Department website at www.justice.vic.gov.au/weapons.