Businesses in north-east Victoria are requesting financial support as the search continues for the alleged gunman who fatally shot two police officers last Tuesday. Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart were killed while attempting to execute a warrant at a property in Porepunkah. The suspect, identified as Dezi Freeman, was last seen fleeing into dense bushland, prompting a large-scale manhunt involving hundreds of officers.

Scott Brandon, owner of Bright Brewery, reported a significant decline in visitors to the area. He stated, "We're pretty concerned with how everything's going. We're significantly down in visitation … It's a pretty significant hit for us." Brandon emphasized the town's reliance on tourism, particularly during the winter months when visitors flock to nearby ski slopes. He noted that since the shooting, his business has experienced a drop in revenue of up to 80 percent. "There's a lot at stake [with the alleged gunman on the run], but the town itself is starting to really feel the economic impacts of what's going on as well," he added.

Local businesses and politicians are now advocating for government assistance. Brandon remarked, "Anything that can support the businesses to get through this will be invaluable."

On Tuesday, the search for Freeman expanded, with police vehicles arriving in Wangaratta, approximately 72 kilometers from Porepunkah. Officers were seen blocking streets and conducting door-to-door inquiries, stating they were "following up leads." Victoria Police declined to comment on specific operational activities. Superintendent Brett Kahan mentioned that police had received a "remarkable" amount of information after setting up a public information caravan in Bright.

Nationals MP Tim McCurdy expressed concern that Freeman might be receiving help from community members. He urged the public to consider the families of the fallen officers, saying, "To go and harbour a fugitive that has [allegedly] killed two police officers, have a heart, think about the families of those police officers. We've got to track this guy down." McCurdy acknowledged the negative impact of the ongoing operation on local businesses and has reached out to the government for funding. He shared a conversation with a store owner who expressed uncertainty about paying their power bill, and noted that another business lost $10,000 in revenue last week.

McCurdy stressed the importance of restoring tourism to the region as soon as it is safe. He said, "We've seen what's happened in other high-profile cases across Victoria in the last couple of years. Depending on how this concludes, we don't want to see the people of Porepunkah in this situation. We want them to move on as quickly as they can and get back to doing what they do best, and that's hosting tourists."

Federal independent member for Indi, Helen Haines, commented on the potential long-term economic effects, stating that early indicators suggest significant income loss across various sectors. Brandon from Bright Brewery expressed hope that the situation would resolve quickly, saying, "This is normally a really safe and enjoyable area to visit, so we're really keen to see that resume. The longer it drags on, the more stress it is for everybody."