Deaths in custody have been described as "predictable and the inevitable results of police interactions" by Wodonga-based MP Tim Quilty.
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He told Victorian Parliament this week that every police interaction contained a risk and questioned if policing of cannabis use and traffic offences was worth additional collateral damage.
"In many cases, minor crimes simply are not worth policing. It does not make sense to fine people who are not hurting anyone else - to arrest them and to call it justice," he said.
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"Every time we pass a new law in this place we are setting up the disadvantaged in the population for a police interaction that will end badly for them.
"Every time the major parties try to outbid each other on law and order they are ensuring somebody will die in custody."
Mr Quilty said in considering the recent protests, the government should reconsider passing laws that involve jail time, and redirect resources away from "victimless crimes" and towards crime prevention.
