Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan have officially opened the new Kennedy Community Centre in Melbourne, celebrating it as a landmark investment in grassroots sport while also fielding tough questions on crime, youth justice and national policy.
Speaking at Dingley Village on Monday, Premier Allan praised the Hawthorn Football Club and all three tiers of government for delivering a facility she said would “support the opportunities for kids of the future” across men’s and women’s football, community sport and youth development.
Albanese said the centre was the product of “vision and hard work”, offering elite-level amenities alongside public community spaces. “We need to make sure that we give young people the opportunity to participate, particularly in team sport,” he said, linking the government’s upcoming 10 December social media ban for under-16s to broader efforts to support youth wellbeing.
Hawthorn president Andy Gowers hailed the opening as a “pivotal moment” in the club’s 100 years in the VFL/AFL, emphasising the Centre’s equal facilities for men and women. Kingston Mayor Georgina Oxley said the project would “connect everyone in our community” and inspire local children to dream of playing AFL or AFLW.
The press conference quickly turned to escalating concerns over violent crime. Premier Allan defended her government’s decision to introduce a standalone knife-crime offence and “adult time for violent crime”, saying victims had made it clear that “there’s not enough consequences for brazen, violent offending”.
She confirmed knife offences would be added to the Crimes Act, allowing offenders involved in fights or brawls to be charged and sentenced separately for violence and weapon use. Legislation will be introduced before the end of the year.
Questions also arose about youth offenders reportedly flown to Queensland theme parks as part of a community correction order. Allan said the justice system had not funded the trip and reiterated her government’s focus on both tougher consequences and early intervention.
On national issues, the Prime Minister:
- Backed Victoria’s approach to crime, saying Premiers must respond to their state’s needs.
- Denied any federal role in funding the youth offenders’ Queensland trip.
- Ruled out co-hosting a future COP, noting UNFCCC rules do not allow it.
- Announced more federal funding for the Suburban Rail Loop in next year’s Budget, on top of the existing $9.2 billion commitment.
- Rebuked the Coalition’s net-zero position, calling its internal contradictions a “mess” that would drive up power prices by creating investment uncertainty.
- Condemned neo-Nazi activity, saying there is “no place in Australia” for hate groups as the government moves to outlaw Nazi symbols.
Albanese also brushed off suggestions that senior Labor Ministers owed apologies in the aftermath of court findings related to Brittany Higgins’ claims, saying the judgement had been mischaracterised in the question.
The event ended where it began — with the new community centre. Albanese praised the workers who built the project, saying they could be proud every time they passed the facility:
“This will be a source of pride in this growing community for decades to come.”
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