The brutal killing of a woman who was forced by her abusive partner to ask strangers for food and money has prompted the state government to consider decriminalising the act of begging.

While New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania have all abolished the offence, “begging and gathering alms” can still land people in prison for up to a year in Victoria.

At least 10 people are charged in Victoria annually, according to the Crime Statistics Agency, a dramatic drop since the years leading up to COVID-19 when it was more than 150 a year.

But efforts to minimise policing could be undermined by local councils hiring private security guards to grapple with complaints about anti-social behaviour.

Under pressure from the Legalise Cannabis party, Kilkenny has asked the Departm

See Full Page