Liberal's pledge for safer communities

Published January 2026

A Hurn Liberal Government will create a $10 million Safer Communities Fund to deter crime against small and family businesses and create more vibrant high streets.

Local councils can apply for grants of up to $400,000 to fund measures that improve the security of local small and family businesses.

Small and family businesses who have been significantly impacted by crime in the past three years can apply for grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 to fund 50 per cent of the project cost to enhance the security of their business.

State Liberal Leader, Ashton Hurn, said the Fund is an important pillar in the Liberal’s pledge to make South Australian communities safer and stronger.

“Theft, violence and anti-social behaviour can cost businesses thousands of dollars in lost revenue and clean-up expenses, not to mention the emotional impact of becoming a victim of crime,” Mrs Hurn said.

“Our Safer Communities Fund will help with practical measures to prevent crime – whether it’s CCTV, lighting or alarms.

“We want to help small businesses improve their security so they can focus on getting back to business.”

“At the next election South Australians will have a choice between a Liberal Government delivering more police, tougher laws and better crime prevention or more crime without consequence under Labor.”

Shadow Minister for Police, Jack Batty, said small businesses had been paying the price for Labor losing control of law and order.

“Small business owners have been left devastated by skyrocketing crime under Labor,” Mr Batty said.

“We shouldn’t be leaving small businesses to be picking up the pieces of vandalism and theft almost every day, only to see offenders released hours after being arrested.

“Crime is also a major deterrent to starting a businesses and forces many to simply shut up shop."

The Fund can be used for:

• Physical infrastructure such as environmental design for security, bollards and lighting.

• Surveillance and alarm systems such as CCTV, intruder alarms and intercom systems.

• Perimeter and property defence improvements such as lockable fencing, gates and barriers, outdoor security and sensor lighting and signage and Visible Deterrents.

Projects must be in areas in and around where small and family businesses are operating. This may include in malls, streets, walkways, active transport spaces, parks and recreation facilities that are next to small businesses, and public small business hubs, buildings and facilities.

Councils are required to consult with their local small business sector to ensure that projects are in locations that directly benefit small businesses and with Police on crime issues in the nominated location.

The Community Safety Fund builds on the Liberal’s policy platform to protect our community:

• Break bail, face jail – the one strike rule legislation, to ensure serious offenders who break their bail won’t simply be released on bail again and again. The new laws will create a presumption against bail if an applicant is taken into custody in relation to a serious offence if the applicant is already on bail for a serious offence.

• Establish a $40 million Breaking the Cycle Fund to focus on early intervention and rehabilitation programs for high-risk youths

Media Contact: Hayley McDonald 0408 100 373