Ms CARNEY - 2007-04-18
Yesterday, at the demonstration outside parliament, you said Alice Springs will have a full strength police force in the future. This is an admission that our police force has been under strength, despite your claims that we do have a police force at full establishment in Alice Springs, and what your minister for Police said out on the steps less than an hour ago. To make matters worse, and as a result of an announcement yesterday, now it is going to be the case that officers will be removed from the Domestic Violence Unit and the Property Crime Unit. Are there enough police in Alice Springs or not? Will you or will you not provide more and, if so, when?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. We can say now, here in Alice Springs, that police numbers are at full establishment. I have been on the record saying it was not previously and, over the last two weeks, we have 15 additional officers coming into Alice Springs to bring that number up to establishment. I put that on the record. We have had seven last week and eight this week. Alice Springs police numbers will be at full establishment - very important. In talking to the Police Commissioner, I said very clearly that, in response to the very legitimate concerns of the Alice Springs community about antisocial behaviour - and I welcome Advance Alice here tonight. In response to your and members of the community’s concerns, we will keep those numbers at full establishment.
Our Police Commissioner released a media release today restating that those numbers will remain at establishment and that, when appropriate, aspects of the force such as the Tactical Response Section will be here in Alice Springs, if that is needed. Also, because of the antisocial behaviour and the crime that has happened, police will be much more flexible in those task forces, redeploying officers were appropriate so that our police force in Alice Springs can very effectively respond to community concerns.
First point, numbers are establishment. The commissioner is confident that the …
Ms Carney: That is not what you said yesterday, Clare – not out there.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Ms MARTIN: If the Opposition Leader asks a question, it is just a basic courtesy to listen to the answer.
Ms Carney: Well, tell the truth!
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition!
Ms MARTIN: What I am saying to the Alice Springs community is that the numbers are at full establishment and they will continue at full establishment. Do not just take my word for it; the Police Commissioner has put it in writing. This will happen!
The responsiveness of our police force to the hot spot issues will continue through programs like Operation City Safe. I thank this community for really putting those issues out there in the public, for making noise. I did not mind being booed yesterday; that is fine, because what we have is a really strong response to the issues that you have raised. So, well done! We will keep those police numbers up to establishment in Alice Springs. There will be additional resources when required, and we will ensure that this community is a safe one to live in.
Of course, there are more complex problems to deal with. This government is dealing with them for the first time - issues such as changing the town camps, and alcohol and the damage it does. We will continue with a whole range of strategies. Regarding policing, the numbers are here, and I believe, and so does the Police Commissioner, that those numbers can do the job.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. We can say now, here in Alice Springs, that police numbers are at full establishment. I have been on the record saying it was not previously and, over the last two weeks, we have 15 additional officers coming into Alice Springs to bring that number up to establishment. I put that on the record. We have had seven last week and eight this week. Alice Springs police numbers will be at full establishment - very important. In talking to the Police Commissioner, I said very clearly that, in response to the very legitimate concerns of the Alice Springs community about antisocial behaviour - and I welcome Advance Alice here tonight. In response to your and members of the community’s concerns, we will keep those numbers at full establishment.
Our Police Commissioner released a media release today restating that those numbers will remain at establishment and that, when appropriate, aspects of the force such as the Tactical Response Section will be here in Alice Springs, if that is needed. Also, because of the antisocial behaviour and the crime that has happened, police will be much more flexible in those task forces, redeploying officers were appropriate so that our police force in Alice Springs can very effectively respond to community concerns.
First point, numbers are establishment. The commissioner is confident that the …
Ms Carney: That is not what you said yesterday, Clare – not out there.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Ms MARTIN: If the Opposition Leader asks a question, it is just a basic courtesy to listen to the answer.
Ms Carney: Well, tell the truth!
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition!
Ms MARTIN: What I am saying to the Alice Springs community is that the numbers are at full establishment and they will continue at full establishment. Do not just take my word for it; the Police Commissioner has put it in writing. This will happen!
The responsiveness of our police force to the hot spot issues will continue through programs like Operation City Safe. I thank this community for really putting those issues out there in the public, for making noise. I did not mind being booed yesterday; that is fine, because what we have is a really strong response to the issues that you have raised. So, well done! We will keep those police numbers up to establishment in Alice Springs. There will be additional resources when required, and we will ensure that this community is a safe one to live in.
Of course, there are more complex problems to deal with. This government is dealing with them for the first time - issues such as changing the town camps, and alcohol and the damage it does. We will continue with a whole range of strategies. Regarding policing, the numbers are here, and I believe, and so does the Police Commissioner, that those numbers can do the job.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016