One of the most limiting aspects of partisan political debate is it forces you to see things in black and white terms that aren't up to the task of conveying the mess of reality. This can be seen in the current debate about violent African gangs in Victoria, in which apparently contradictory claims are true.

It's true that community fears around gang violence exist. It's true that in many cases they are legitimate, based on real experiences of violent criminal behaviour as reported in the media. It's also true that the level of gang activity is being overstated.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has blasted the Victorian government over street crime. Credit:Fairfax media

Perhaps the most significant truth, though, is that real fears are being manipulated for political gain. What we are seeing is the most shameless opportunism dressed up as leadership.

I know this for a fact because more than a year ago I was in Canberra and found myself in a private conversation with a senior minister in the Turnbull government. He said, out of the blue, that he was concerned about African violence in Victoria. He said people were terrified and the Andrews government was failing to handle the problem.