Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin has stepped up criticism of the state’s crime record, describing Victoria as Australia’s “crime capital” while pointing to Queensland’s police recruitment as evidence for the Coalition’s plan to add 3,000 officers under a potential Jess Wilson government.
Battin’s comments come after the Insurance Council of Australia released new data showing Victoria recorded the highest number of vehicle theft and burglary insurance claims in the country in the 2025-26 financial year. The council said more than 12,300 motor vehicle theft or burglary claims were lodged in Victoria, costing insurers $244 million.
The Insurance Council said more cars were stolen or broken into in Melbourne than in every other Australian capital city combined. Victoria also recorded almost 3,900 property theft and burglary claims, costing more than $56 million. Australia By Aussie previously reported on the Insurance Council’s Victoria crime data.
Battin has pointed to Queensland’s recruitment figures as part of the case for increasing police numbers in Victoria. Queensland Government figures show more than 2,000 police officers have been sworn into the Queensland Police Service since the October 2024 election, with 2,098 new officers recorded by August 2026.
The Victorian Coalition has separately committed to recruiting 3,000 additional Victoria Police officers if it wins government. The plan from Liberal and Nationals leader Jess Wilson also includes reopening more than 40 police stations that are closed or operating on reduced hours.
The political argument comes ahead of Victoria’s November state election, with crime and community safety emerging as major campaign issues. The Insurance Council has also called for stronger information sharing between police, government and insurers, alongside targeted measures to reduce property and vehicle theft.
Battin’s comments have prompted debate online, with replies challenging the broader characterisation of Victoria as the nation’s crime capital and questioning whether increasing police numbers alone would necessarily reduce offending.
The Insurance Council figures measure insurance claims rather than all criminal offences, while the Queensland recruitment figures show police numbers added to the service rather than proving a direct reduction in crime. The competing claims are likely to remain part of the political debate ahead of the Victorian election.
Sources:
Brad Battin
Insurance Council of Australia
Queensland Government
