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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 7 Hansard (24 June) . . Page.. 2397 ..

MR PRATT

the picture here is very clearly that there is always plenty of work to be done, and we must ensure that our police have sufficient capacity and are adequately equipped to be able to keep on top of these issues.

Thanks to Operation Halite-and I personally thank Deputy Police Chief Officer Andy Hughes for his good efforts-burglary rates have fallen by one-third. That is quite a remarkable drop. The government is also to be congratulated. There are ups and downs, but it is important that the graphs are showing that the rates are continuing to fall. Canberra clearly is one of the safest cities in Australia but I repeat, for the third time, that we cannot just leave it at that. We have to make sure we keep the pressure on the criminal class who would otherwise try to ruin our lives.

Mr Speaker, I am concerned about persistent rumours of police numbers being chopped or being allowed to waste. We saw reports at the weekend of the northern district establishment being reduced by 19 officers. There has been persistent feedback about this and about possible net cuts in frontline police strength. I would not like to think that this is simply an AFPA political stunt during an EBA negotiation, as has been claimed by certain people who are dealing with this area. You have to wonder why these claims have been made. However, these concerns need to cleared up be very quickly.

The minister said in estimates that there will not be any net police losses, and I am willing to take that at face value. That is what he keeps saying, and that is what I hope will be the case. There are 21 new recruits coming into the force, but what we do not know is whether those 21 will simply replace the 19 lost in the north or whether they will go into other positions. So I would flag that as a concern that we have at the moment.

Can the minister continue to guarantee that there will be no net loss in front-line police numbers? You did that in estimates, and I hope you can continue to give that guarantee. I note that the Deputy Chief Police Officer has said that there will be no net cuts, although I did notice that in last weekends Canberra Sunday Times he talked only about losses occurring, but losses which will not necessarily affect community policing. I don't know whether he means by that that there would be a drop in establishment or that there is simply a shift in numbers.

I was puzzled to see Mr Hughes say that there is a movement down of numbers in the northern district, and that movement only reflects what I think he meant was a levelling out of what was a previously high number. So there is a way to go before we get clarification of what I think is a very important issue. I certainly respect Mr Hughes' opinions and actions. He has got a good track record. By the way, can I just add that he will be a fabulous ambassador for this country in Fiji.

It is reported that there is a 50 per cent cut in patrol cars at Belconnen city police station. Again, is that just a concern that has not been properly put to bed by the chain of command, or is it reality? The question needs to be asked and we want to hear the answer. I look forward to the government getting back to setting us straight on those issues.

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