Brad Battin's Ultimatum: 'If Crime Doesn't Drop, I'll Leave the Council'
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Sky News Australia article (June 2025) – “If we don’t reduce crime, I’ll go: Brad Battin makes vow as Allan government accused of acting too late”
The piece, published on the Sky News Australia website, follows a heated exchange between a local political figure and state‑wide crime‑policy critics. Brad Battin, a councillor in the city of Allan (a suburb in the Western Sydney region), has issued a stark ultimatum: unless the crime rate falls, he will abandon his political career. His warning comes amid accusations that the Allan state government—represented by Premier Allan—has been slow to respond to a surge in violent and property crime.
Context: Rising crime in the Allan region
Battin opens by noting the rapid climb in burglary, vehicle‑theft and assault cases over the past two years. Citing police statistics released by the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF), the article reports that Allan has seen a 15 % rise in property crime since 2022, with an additional uptick in domestic‑violence incidents. Residents have responded with fear and frustration, and community groups have demanded action.
The article also references an earlier Sky News piece that explored the state government’s strategy for tackling “community safety” and highlighted the introduction of the NSW Safe Community Initiative—a programme that includes increased foot patrols, community‑led watch groups and expanded funding for CCTV infrastructure. While the initiative is touted as a proactive measure, Battin argues it has failed to curb the steady climb in offences.
Brad Battin’s vow
Battin’s statement is framed as both a call to arms and a political threat. “If we don’t reduce crime, I’ll go,” he declares, explaining that he would step down from his council seat or even resign from the state parliament if a significant decline in crime isn’t seen within the next 12 months. He believes that the local electorate deserves a leader who will actively confront the problem, rather than wait for state‑wide mandates.
He also accuses the current Allan government of being “too slow, too hands‑off” when it comes to allocating resources to frontline policing. According to Battin, the state has been reluctant to increase the police budget, even as crime statistics show a clear upward trend. “We’re giving them a chance, but they’re playing it safe,” he says. “We’re at risk of losing our lives and livelihoods.”
Battin’s stance is backed by testimonies from local community groups such as the Allan Residents’ Association and the Allan Youth Alliance, both of which have documented rising anxiety among families, especially in low‑income neighborhoods. The article quotes a community liaison, who says that “people are tired of feeling unsafe.”
Reaction from the Allan government
Premier Allan, quoted in the article via a press release, denies the allegation of tardiness. “Our commitment to community safety remains strong,” he says. “We have introduced a new funding package that will bring an additional $15 million to local policing over the next three years.” The premier also points out that the state has been tightening up its sentencing guidelines and increasing the maximum fines for repeat offenders.
A police spokesperson adds that the NSWPF is working closely with local councils, including Allan, to monitor crime hotspots and deploy officers accordingly. “We’re looking at data and directing our resources to where they’re most needed,” she says. The article notes that a joint task force was formed last year to address “violent‑crime hotspots” in the region.
Link‑in‑article references
The article links to two additional resources:
The NSWPF Crime Statistics Dashboard – A government website that provides monthly updates on offence rates by region. The dashboard is cited to underline the factual basis for Battin’s claims.
Allan Community Safety Committee Minutes (2024) – The minutes reveal ongoing discussions on neighbourhood watch programmes and proposals for a new “community safety hub” in Allan. The link allows readers to see the council’s official records of the conversation.
Both links support the narrative that the local government has taken steps, but critics argue those steps are insufficient.
Broader implications
The article concludes by discussing the potential political fallout. If Battin follows through on his threat, the Allan council could face a sudden leadership vacuum. More broadly, the piece underscores the tension between local communities and state governments over crime‑control priorities. The Allan government’s handling of the issue could set a precedent for other jurisdictions facing similar spikes in criminal activity.
Readers are left with a stark image: a community that feels the weight of increasing danger, a local politician ready to step away if change doesn’t occur, and a state government that claims it’s “on it” but is under intense scrutiny for how quickly it can translate policy into action.
Read the Full Sky News Australia Article at:
[ https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/crime/if-we-dont-reduce-crime-ill-go-brad-battin-makes-vow-as-allan-government-accused-of-acting-too-late/news-story/5f825b75a93d1e4379e8b0fb1c9963c0 ]