Leader of the Liberal Party in Victoria stands by impromptu media briefing amid fatal stabbing incident | Political landscape in Victoria

The Victorian opposition leader, Brad Battin, has defended his decision to hold an impromptu press conference at the scene of a fatal stabbing in Melbourne’s southeast, stating that he will continue to visit active crime scenes. Emergency services were called to a petrol station on the corner of Potter Street and Princes Highway at Dandenong around 4:50 am on Tuesday after reports of a man being stabbed. The man, 39, was treated by paramedics but died at the scene. Battin heard about the stabbing on the radio and decided to stop on his way to parliament. He stated, “I was coming into work this morning, I heard it on the radio. It is an area that I was a Victoria police officer, and I have seen these crimes in these areas in the past.” He spoke to reporters and police at the scene, stating that crime has gotten out of control in the state. A Victorian government minister, Colin Brooks, criticized Battin for stopping at the scene, stating that it was “appalling” and that politicians should not be going to crime scenes, particularly if the victims’ next of kin have not been notified. Battin stated he had no regrets and would not apologize. Victora police have not established the exact circumstances surrounding the man’s death and are urging anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area to contact Crime Stoppers.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/aug/19/victoria-liberal-leader-brad-battin-press-conference-from-scene-of-fatal-stabbing-ntwnfb