Victoria's acting premier James Merlino says comments made by federal MPs on the state's crime problem are "offensive" and "farcical".
Politicians have been trading barbs over so-called street gangs for two weeks, leading one federal Liberal MP to suggest signs be put up at the NSW-Victorian border to warn drivers they have an increased chance of car theft in the southern state.
"It's pretty ill-informed, desperate commentary from the Turnbull government. Just farcical," Mr Merlino said on Monday.
"Talking about signs at the border - this is ill-informed and offensive to all Victorians. What comes out of Canberra is a circus."
The Victorian Labor government says it's willing to fund 25 per cent of a national crime database to identify young offenders.
Mr Merlino said the nation's governments were in were "continuous discussions" to get an agreement on the database.
The government says when youths are coming from Sydney and causing havoc in Melbourne, such a database would help Victoria Police get their criminal history.
The Herald Sun reported a wild house party at Werribee and brawl at St Kilda in December involved a group of Sydney basketball players who travelled to Melbourne for a tournament.
A series of high-profile incidents - including riots, home invasions, armed robberies, assaults and attacks on police - linked to offenders of African appearance since early December has sparked intense media and political scrutiny.
Share
