With both eyes open

By Jade Lawton
BERWICK now has bi-partisan support for Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV), with La Trobe’s Labor and Liberal candidates both promising cash for the cause if their parties are elected on Saturday.
La Trobe MP Jason Wood pledged $150,000 for CCTV in Berwick Village at the end of July.
This week, Labor candidate Laura Smyth pledged $175,000 for CCTV in Berwick, along with $175,000 for cameras in Boronia and $50,000 worth in Emerald.
Minister for Home Affairs, Brendan O’Connor, said the funding came after Laura Smyth expressed the community’s desire to increase safety in the La Trobe electorate.
“Safer Suburbs is a partnership between the Gillard Labor Government, other levels of government and the local community and aims to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour,” Mr O’Connor said.
“All Australians have a right to feel safe when they walk down the street.
“Laura Smyth has been working with local residents and stakeholders to improve safety in and around Boronia, Berwick and Emerald.”
“This is a victory for local residents and businesses who have been campaigning for CCTV so that local residents can feel safer,” Ms Smyth said.
But Mr Wood, La Trobe’s incumbent MP, said Labor ‘didn’t have their heart in it.’
“They shouldn’t be trusted, considering in 2008 they promised CCTV for Boronia, and then said it was for Berwick. Then they come out on the 11th hour and announce this,” he said.
“I’ve been pushing for this since day one.”