Shadow Minister Says Lack of Stop and Search Powers Slowing Victoria Police

David Southwick says justice in his state has become mired in bureaucratic red tape. Victorian Minister for Police Anthony Carbines poses for a photo with a Machete Amnesty Safety Disposal Bin after announcement on the state’s machete ban at Melbourne West Police Station in Melbourne in Victoria, Australia, July 31, 2025. AAP Image/Joel Carrett11/7/2025|Updated: 11/7/2025Shadow Police Minister David Southwick says a lack of stop-and-search powers are limiting Victoria Police’s ability to respond to violent offenders.“I was in [regional] Wodonga, and in Wodonga you’ve got to plan a two-day operation for taking those machetes in doing a wanding operation,” he told The Epoch Times.Author’s Selected Articles