Top Developer Pauses Victorian Investment, Citing 'Criminal's Dream' State

Chris Garnaut, founder of Fawkner Property, a company managing a $5 billion mall network, has stated his refusal to acquire additional retail assets in Victoria due to the state's high crime statistics. Garnaut indicated that any future consideration for Victorian properties would require a 150-point higher return rate compared to other Australian states.

According to crime statistics released by Victoria's Crime Statistics Agency for the 12 months ending June 2026, the state recorded 96,008 offenses across retail locations. Theft offenses saw a 2.3% increase, with 37,398 incidents, averaging 102 per day. Assault offenses numbered 5,120, an average of 14 daily. Between 2024 and 2025, retail crime in Victoria rose from 82,738 to 99,000 recorded offenses, with the 2026 figures, though slightly down, still positioning Victoria as Australia's leader in retail crime.

Garnaut described the situation as a 'criminal’s dream state,' where individuals can allegedly steal or assault security guards without facing immediate charges. He further commented that even when charged, convictions are rare, and bail is typically extended.

The comments from Garnaut coincide with calls from retail leaders to Victorian Premier Ben Carroll for stronger action against shop-related crime. Victoria is set to implement a Workplace Protection Orders (WPO) scheme in March 2027, intended to empower retailers to ban repeat offenders from their premises. However, the Australian Retail Council (ARC) has criticized the legislation as the country's 'weakest' WPO framework.

Under the current Victorian WPO framework, applicants must obtain court orders before barring offenders, leaving a gap where individuals can re-offend while awaiting legal proceedings. Mike Schneider, outgoing head of Bunnings, called the Victorian WPOs a 'missed opportunity,' contrasting it with more robust legislation in South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.

Retail executives argue that the current system leaves workers vulnerable. Martin Smithson, Coles' executive general manager of supermarket operations, stressed the need for immediate protection, suggesting that courts should have the ability to issue interim orders to safeguard staff while cases are being processed. Woolworths head of violence prevention, Sarah Faorlin, echoed these concerns, noting that the absence of interim orders leaves employees exposed to ongoing harassment and violence.

Other states have introduced stricter measures. New South Wales enacted three new offenses in 2023 for harassing, stalking, or assaulting retail workers, with penalties up to 11 years imprisonment. South Australia introduced its WPO model in October, and the federal parliament passed a similar scheme for Commonwealth workers in November. Some retail leaders in Victoria believe the situation is urgent enough to warrant immediate interim laws, even before the March 2027 implementation of the WPO scheme.