2025-12-02
The Greens are calling on the Labor Government to decriminalise begging in Victoria, following recent comments from attorney-general Sonya Kilkenny that she is seeking advice from the Department of Justice and Community Safety on the matter.
The Greens say that Victoria’s current laws punish vulnerable people, tying them up in the justice system instead of addressing the root causes that lead to begging: poverty, and a lack of stable housing. Furthermore, they argue there is no evidence that these laws are effective at reducing begging. These offences mean people can face up to a year in prison, if convicted.
Decriminalising begging would bring Victoria in line with the ACT, NSW, Western Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania, and free up police to deal with serious offences that pose a genuine threat to the community.
When the Greens called for begging to be decriminalised back in 2017, Labor rejected the idea, and Greens member for Melbourne, Ellen Sandell, was labelled a “do-gooder” by the Lord Mayor. Almost 9 years on, police resources are still being diverted by the policing of a practice which poses no threat to public safety.
The Greens are disturbed by the City of Melbourne’s recent decision to hire private security guards to patrol the CBD, in an apparent attempt to move along beggars and people sleeping rough.
The evidence shows that the fix for homelessness is to get people into a home. Likewise, people wouldn’t be forced to beg if they had the supports in place.
It’s time for Labor to listen to the crossbench, the experts, and the Victorian coroner, and decriminalise begging in Victoria.
Quotes attributable to Aiv Puglielli MP, Victorian Greens spokesperson for economic justice:
“This Premier should be ashamed that her government is punishing people who are forced to beg.
“Instead of punishing people who are forced to beg, Labor should actually provide basic rights like public housing. Stop demolishing public homes, and start supporting vulnerable Victorians.”
-ENDS-
Media contact: Iliana Keskerides 0491 012 791