Victorian Liberal leader defends impromptu press conference at scene of fatal stabbing

The Victorian opposition leader, Brad Battin, headed to an active crime scene in Dandenong on Tuesday morning after hearing reports a man had been stabbed. The 39-year-old man died at the scene. Photograph: Con Chronis/AAP

The Victorian opposition leader, Brad Battin, has defended taking a detour on his way to work to hold an impromptu press conference at the scene of a fatal stabbing in Melbourne’s south-east, saying he will continue to visit active crime scenes.

Emergency services were called to a petrol station on the corner of Potter Street and Princes Highway at Dandenong about 4.50am on Tuesday in response to reports a man had been stabbed.