One of the most important responsibilities we share as local representatives is ensuring that our communities feel safe—safe to walk the streets, to run their businesses, to raise their children and to enjoy the public spaces that make our suburbs home. Over recent months, my office has been contacted by many residents and business owners from across the Liverpool electorate, from Cecil Hills and Green Valley to the 2168 and the city centre, raising concerns about safety in our area. They have spoken to me about incidents of property and retail theft, antisocial behaviour, unsafe driving and the growing impact of substance abuse on our streets and in our public spaces. They have described to me the feeling that some parts of our community are becoming less secure. These are not isolated issues; they affect how safe people feel in their neighbourhoods, how businesses operate and how families go about their daily lives. The conversations I have had with constituents and community members have been honest, sometimes confronting, but also constructive. People were not just expressing frustration; they were asking how they could be part of the solution.

Earlier this week I had the privilege of hosting the Liverpool Community Safety Forum, which brought together local residents, business owners and key decision-makers to discuss one of the most important issues in our community: safety. That is why I was proud to convene the forum in partnership with the Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism and Liverpool police area commander Superintendent Scott Tanner. It was an opportunity for our community to speak directly with those responsible for setting policing priorities and shaping safety initiatives in our region. Throughout the evening, participants were able to raise their concerns, learn more about the community safety programs currently in place and explore ways to work together towards achieving practical solutions. We discussed local crime trends, traffic safety hotspots and youth engagement strategies aimed at addressing antisocial behaviour before it escalates. The Minister outlined the Minns Government's commitment to ensuring that every part of New South Wales, including rapidly growing regions like Liverpool, has the policing resources and community support needed to keep people safe.

Since the Labor Party was elected in 2023, over 100 new officers have hit the ground in the two police area commands, Liverpool and Fairfield, that serve my electorate. This Government inherited a situation where our first responders were under-resourced, burnt out and without the tools to respond effectively. We are turning the ship around and addressing community safety by confronting our Police Force's recruitment and retention crisis, which was left to us by those opposite. We lifted the unfair wages cap and are delivering an historic pay rise to police officers in New South Wales, putting an end to the perverse scheme whereby the Government was essentially paying officers to leave the force. We are also paying new recruits while they train at the police academy in Goulburn, ensuring that policing is a more attractive career path for many. One of these new recruits— who will attest next month—is Ali, whose brother Yousef was a youth volunteer at the forum.

Superintendent Tanner provided an update on the work our local command is doing, from targeting retail theft and drug offences, to increasing patrols in key hotspots and building stronger relationships with schools and youth organisations. As we commence the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, it is important to point out that almost 60 per cent of police time is spent responding to such situations. Over the past 2½ years, the Minns Government has invested significantly in preventative programs and proactive initiatives to address domestic and family violence early and holistically. Doing so will ensure that a police response during a crisis or following a crime is just part of the bigger picture, not just in relation to domestic and family violence but also in relation to property crime, antisocial behaviour and road traffic offences.

The forum reinforced what I already know to be true: that Liverpool is a strong, resilient and engaged community. When residents, police and the Government work together, we can make real progress in tackling the challenges that matter most to people. As we focus on building Liverpool into a true night-time city, with one of the State's largest night workforces and a new special entertainment precinct trial underway, it is critical that we ensure Liverpool is safe for those who live, learn, work and play in our city. The community's confidence in its own safety in our CBD is absolutely vital to its future success. I thank the Minister for taking the time to listen to our community, Superintendent Tanner for his ongoing leadership and partnership, and all the residents and business owners who attended and shared their experiences so openly. By continuing these conversations and acting on what we have heard, we can build a safer, more confident and more connected Liverpool for everyone.