Ms CARNEY - 2007-04-17
On your watch, crime has been increasing in Alice Springs. More offences against the person, property crimes, etcetera, continue to go up. You dismissed the idea of CCTV cameras by saying: ‘There is no currently demonstrated need’. You have also dismissed youth curfews. With rising crime, including very violent crime, your continued dismissal of ideas from anyone in Alice Springs to you that might be designed for tackling these measures have been embarrassingly consistent. Even on your occasional visits to Alice Springs, surely you see the need for action? What do you plan to do to address increasing crime rates in Alice Springs so that the people of Alice Springs feel safe?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. I have already outlined in a number of responses to previous questions just what I and this government is doing in addressing crime and antisocial behaviour issues in Alice Springs. It would be redundant of me to repeat that.
I made an announcement at lunchtime today of an increase of 15% in the next budget for Police, Fire and Emergency Services in the Alice Springs region. We are a government that is actually resourcing our Police, Fire and Emergency Services to do the job that they have to do. I am not discounting anything that is a constructive suggestion. However, to be honest, I have heard very little from the Opposition Leader …
Ms Carney: In asking for CCTV cameras?
Dr BURNS: Regarding closed circuit television cameras, the initial approach by council was for government to fund the entire closed circuit television network. Under the model that exists elsewhere in Australia, councils stump up that money and look for assistance from governments, be it both state or federal. I have given an assurance regarding closed circuit television cameras. As elsewhere in Australia, I want the police to be working very closely with the council for the security around those closed circuit television cameras to identify hot spots, potentials for proactive policing, and for the apprehension of those who break the law. That is what I am doing.
The last question was about mobile police vans. We have invested in mobile police vans. Incidentally, when I asked police what they used to do for mobile police vans before the $100 000 vans that they have now, they told me they were given HiAce vans by the previous government.
The Leader of the Opposition is also an advocate of dummy speed vans. That is the sort of sense that comes out of the Leader of the Opposition ...
Ms Carney interjecting.
Dr BURNS: Well, it is in your magazine here. Do you want me to read it?
Members interjecting.
Dr BURNS: You are talking about speed cameras: ‘... this means the use of cameras at night, and also the use of dummy speed vans’, whatever that means.
Madam Speaker, I am interested in constructive ideas from whomever. The people we met today who were part of the demonstration made some constructive suggestions. I am prepared to work with them. I am also prepared to work with the opposition if they are constructive.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. I have already outlined in a number of responses to previous questions just what I and this government is doing in addressing crime and antisocial behaviour issues in Alice Springs. It would be redundant of me to repeat that.
I made an announcement at lunchtime today of an increase of 15% in the next budget for Police, Fire and Emergency Services in the Alice Springs region. We are a government that is actually resourcing our Police, Fire and Emergency Services to do the job that they have to do. I am not discounting anything that is a constructive suggestion. However, to be honest, I have heard very little from the Opposition Leader …
Ms Carney: In asking for CCTV cameras?
Dr BURNS: Regarding closed circuit television cameras, the initial approach by council was for government to fund the entire closed circuit television network. Under the model that exists elsewhere in Australia, councils stump up that money and look for assistance from governments, be it both state or federal. I have given an assurance regarding closed circuit television cameras. As elsewhere in Australia, I want the police to be working very closely with the council for the security around those closed circuit television cameras to identify hot spots, potentials for proactive policing, and for the apprehension of those who break the law. That is what I am doing.
The last question was about mobile police vans. We have invested in mobile police vans. Incidentally, when I asked police what they used to do for mobile police vans before the $100 000 vans that they have now, they told me they were given HiAce vans by the previous government.
The Leader of the Opposition is also an advocate of dummy speed vans. That is the sort of sense that comes out of the Leader of the Opposition ...
Ms Carney interjecting.
Dr BURNS: Well, it is in your magazine here. Do you want me to read it?
Members interjecting.
Dr BURNS: You are talking about speed cameras: ‘... this means the use of cameras at night, and also the use of dummy speed vans’, whatever that means.
Madam Speaker, I am interested in constructive ideas from whomever. The people we met today who were part of the demonstration made some constructive suggestions. I am prepared to work with them. I am also prepared to work with the opposition if they are constructive.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016