Ben Carroll promises to work with unions and police to improve gig economy worker safety following the death of Jianming Feng.
AI-generated summary
A delivery driver was fatally stabbed in Melbourne's CBD while working for Hungry Panda near the Queen Victoria Market. The Victorian Premier has pledged to work with the Transport Workers Union and Victoria Police to improve gig economy worker safety. Hundreds attended a vigil for the victim.
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has vowed to make "whatever changes are necessary" following the fatal stabbing attack of a delivery driver in Melbourne's CBD.
Chinese national and father of two, Jianming Feng, was fatally stabbed on Friday night while making a delivery run for Hungry Panda near the Queen Victoria Market.
Another food deliver rider, aged 34, was injured in the alleged altercation.
On Sunday, Mr Carroll said he would continue to work with the Transport Workers Union and other representatives to ensure the safety of gig economy workers.
"As premier I will ensure I do everything I can with the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police that, no matter where you work, no matter where you shop, no matter where you live, that you are safe," he said.
"We do know that often people in the gig economy, people who are doing transit deliveries, are some of the most vulnerable Victorians and they do need proper protections in place and workplace safety."
Homicide Squad detectives have arrested a 51-year-old Footscray man over the incident.
Safety concerns on the rise
Last night hundreds of people attended a vigil for Mr Feng, with many raising concerns about safety in the city.
"This is not how we're picturing Melbourne would be like," international student Xi Ip said, who was among those at the vigil.
"We were expecting a safer community. We don't want anything like this to ever happen again. That's a 47-year-old man who has a family to support.
"This is a pure tragedy … We want police to protect not just citizens but all of the community in the city."
Another student Xenith Yen said she was considering moving back home to Shanghai.
"I feel so unsafe in this city and I am paying a very high rate of tax but I don't get anything back from this city. I want to go back home."
Student Casper Ge called on the state's leaders to do more.
"It's everyone's right to have a safe city when they're doing their job. I feel very bad for this poor man."
Ria Li, who lives next to the scene, said she had lived in Melbourne for two years and was concerned about her safety because of drug use in the CBD.
She said she wanted to see steps taken by the government and Hungry Panda, which she said was a well-used delivery service among the Chinese student community, to improve driver safety.
"In Melbourne's CBD, international students are not a small group," she said.
"It's very depressing, it's very unfair that … someone's husband, someone's son and someone's dad got killed. It's really depressing as a Chinese to see such tragedy happen right next to my apartment."
Hungry Panda and the Chinese consulate in Melbourne have been contacted for comment.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Victorian government will announce safety reforms or protections for gig economy delivery workers.
Likely · Within weeks
The arrested 51-year-old Footscray man will face homicide-related charges.
Likely · Within days
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