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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 7 Hansard (26 June) . . Page.. 2225 ..

MR WOOD (continuing):

I can recollect the Minister some time ago, when he was on this side of the house, giving his predecessor curry about crime figures. I will not do that, because Mr Humphries is not responsible for the increase in crime, any more than Mr Connolly was at the time. But it is important that we look and see what can be done; look at all the provisions in our community, all the factors that arise, and try to deal with the problem at its source rather than respond to particular events at the time. We should be looking ahead, five to 10 to 15 years, and trying to pose solutions. In his response Mr Humphries might, however, indicate whether he was satisfied with the dispensement of the Major Crime Squad, which was a decision taken by the Federal Police Commissioner, as I understand it. We are going to have 18 more police. I think it is a good idea to have police spread as widely and as visibly as possible around the community. Has that particular move by the Federal Police proved to be justified? It may be six of one and half-a-dozen of the other in the way we deal with our crime.

I know that the Minister in this Assembly has views about our ability to make clear comment on the way the police do things in this town. I think on that occasion, or perhaps it was another occasion, the Minister was told of changes in policing at the same time as the rest of the community was told about them. Maybe his communications are a little ahead of that these days. The main function I look for arising out of this today is the support of the Assembly later in the day for the reference I am proposing to the Legal Affairs Committee. I have made my speech on that now, and I will not make it again later in the day.

MR OSBORNE (5.05): I will be brief, Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker. I rose to acknowledge the work of the Minister, especially in regard to police on the ground.

Mr Moore: The Tuggeranong police station.

MR OSBORNE: Mr Moore mentioned the Tuggeranong police station. I think that may have been in the last budget.

Mr Humphries: Yes, we are building it in this budget.

MR OSBORNE: I hope you have allocated enough money in this budget to fit it out, not like the Tuggeranong Arts Centre.

Mr Humphries: Fit out? Oh, no! There will be a floor. It will have a floor.

MR OSBORNE: It will have a floor. I am pleased to hear it. On a serious note, I think it is a tremendous step forward - it is the first time in my memory - that more police will be on the ground. Mr Humphries has allocated some money to allow police to be freed up, to be out doing what they do best, which is serving the community. I think it was a tremendous step forward and I would like to congratulate the Government on that. I think it is important that we, as politicians, acknowledge the work of the police force and other law and order services in town and continue to support them as much as possible. I congratulate the Minister. I think there will be 18 new police officers on the ground, and that is a tremendous step forward. I believe the review that we have not yet seen recommends that we could do with some more. I would hope, if you are Minister at the time of the next budget, Mr Humphries, that you will accommodate that request.

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