Two years out from the next statewide poll, Victorians might have considered themselves safe – for now – from political campaigning.  

But apparently that is not the case. 

With a raft of new law and order policies rolled out this week, It seems Premier Daniel Andrews is already playing the ‘tough on crime’ card in a bid to win over constituents.

First there was the promise of 2700 new police officers to crack down on crime.

Then came news those members would be housed in state-of-the-art stations.

Police could also win the right to take DNA from suspects without court orders.

Investing in our police force is important – when it is done out of necessity.

But when it plays on fears for personal safety in an effort to win back lost electoral ground, it is an expensive, unpalatable approach to governing.

It is the oldest trick in the book: make people nervous about their personal security then soothe those concerns with a hearty investment in law enforcement. 

Sadly, however, it works. 

Fear-mongering about border security, including a concocted Children Overboard scandal, won John Howard his second term as prime minister.  

A promise to quash Latino migration and overseas-born terrorist threats was instrumental in getting Donald Trump over the line in last month’s US election.  

But campaigning on a platform of law and order does little more than play into populist fears. 

Such populism detracts attention from prevention policies that might be cheaper and more effective ways to reduce crime. 

It leads to higher levels of community conflict and criminalises marginalised people. 

And it certainly does not suit the image the Victorian government has crafted for itself during the first two years of its tenure. 

Legalising medicinal marijuana, backing the Safe School Coalition and funding asylum seekers’ bids to prove their refugee status are just some of the government’s most progressive achievements since being elected.

Going after the law and order vote is a typically conservative manouevre.

Are Daniel Andrews and his government in a state of arrested development?

Mark Kearney, journalist