Ms CARNEY - 2007-04-17
On or about 13 June 2006, the mobile police van was launched in Alice Springs. The former minister for Police said at the time that it would be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In a letter dated 1 March this year to you from me, I sought various details regarding the operation of the mobile police station. Your letter did not answer my questions. I ask now whether you will do me the courtesy of answering these questions and, if you will not do it for me, at least do it for the people of Alice Springs on whose behalf I ask them.
How many times has the police van been operational in Alice Springs? How many times has the van been located in Todd Mall? What is the average amount of time that the van was placed at various sites? Is the van staffed at all times when it is on location and, if so, by how many police officers? Have there been occasions when the van was operated without being staffed and, if so, when?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. As its name implies, it is a mobile police station. It does move from place to place in the operational requirements of the police and those who direct the police within Alice Springs. The very purpose of such a police van is to deploy where it is needed, so it has been at the National Australia Bank AFL game. It was at the cyanide spill for some time. I am having a reception later this week for Police, Fire and Emergency Services officers who assisted with the cyanide spill cleanup. It has been deployed to the Todd Mall as part of the City Safe operations, and it has been deployed to the north side of Alice Springs to address antisocial behaviour and itinerants in that area.
The Leader of the Opposition has asked some very specific questions about times, dates and serial numbers. I want our police to be getting on with the job of policing ...
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, can you move to the Dispatch Box please?
Ms CARNEY: My point of order, Madam Speaker, is that I asked very simple, very basic questions. You already have the letter and you did not answer. Please, minister, will you answer my questions?
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, there is no point of order.
Dr BURNS: Well, I am answering your question, Leader of the Opposition. What I am saying to you is that police have more to do with their time than chasing after you and the question that you have asked ...
Ms Carney interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, I trust our police in the job that they are doing. In Alice Springs - and it has been backed up by the Leader of the Opposition – there is a call for Australian Federal Police to do the job of our Northern Territory police. I reject that. We are a government that has equipped our police force. It has invested $75m to build our police numbers. We have also invested in things like our mobile police stations, up and down the track – Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs – at $100 000 a pop. I have every confidence in the officers who deploy the mobile police station to the best effect for the people of Alice Springs.
How many times has the police van been operational in Alice Springs? How many times has the van been located in Todd Mall? What is the average amount of time that the van was placed at various sites? Is the van staffed at all times when it is on location and, if so, by how many police officers? Have there been occasions when the van was operated without being staffed and, if so, when?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. As its name implies, it is a mobile police station. It does move from place to place in the operational requirements of the police and those who direct the police within Alice Springs. The very purpose of such a police van is to deploy where it is needed, so it has been at the National Australia Bank AFL game. It was at the cyanide spill for some time. I am having a reception later this week for Police, Fire and Emergency Services officers who assisted with the cyanide spill cleanup. It has been deployed to the Todd Mall as part of the City Safe operations, and it has been deployed to the north side of Alice Springs to address antisocial behaviour and itinerants in that area.
The Leader of the Opposition has asked some very specific questions about times, dates and serial numbers. I want our police to be getting on with the job of policing ...
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, can you move to the Dispatch Box please?
Ms CARNEY: My point of order, Madam Speaker, is that I asked very simple, very basic questions. You already have the letter and you did not answer. Please, minister, will you answer my questions?
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, there is no point of order.
Dr BURNS: Well, I am answering your question, Leader of the Opposition. What I am saying to you is that police have more to do with their time than chasing after you and the question that you have asked ...
Ms Carney interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, I trust our police in the job that they are doing. In Alice Springs - and it has been backed up by the Leader of the Opposition – there is a call for Australian Federal Police to do the job of our Northern Territory police. I reject that. We are a government that has equipped our police force. It has invested $75m to build our police numbers. We have also invested in things like our mobile police stations, up and down the track – Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs – at $100 000 a pop. I have every confidence in the officers who deploy the mobile police station to the best effect for the people of Alice Springs.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016