Page 4565 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 26 November 2019

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Sadly, some of the individuals who do need those extra supports have a number of complex issues within their lives on which they will need extra support. That will mean that on occasion Housing ACT will need to work more closely with those residents and with the neighbourhood as well. But, as with everybody who is in a private rental, they still have the same rights as anyone else, under the Residential Tenancies Act, to maintain their tenancy. Housing will work with them to do that.

I ask Mr Parton, if there are issues of a criminal nature that he is aware of, to invite those constituents to contact the police so that the issues are appropriately dealt with as a criminal matter.

MS LAWDER: Minister, why did it take Housing ACT seven years to take action in relation to these properties?

MS BERRY: I have responded to that question and I also will be having a conversation with Mr Parton on that.

Ms Lawder: No, we are entitled to ask a question in question time.

MS BERRY: You just might not get the answer you want.

ACT Policing—mental health

MRS DUNNE: My question is to the Minster for Police and Emergency Services. Minister, what is the incidence of police developing mental fatigue and stress problems when dealing with crime as a result of your government’s under-resourcing of police?

MR GENTLEMAN: Let me just put the fact out there that we are not under-resourcing police. In fact, this budget shows a $34 million investment in police.

In regard to police wellbeing, of course it is a very important question and we want to ensure that we have the best support opportunities for ACT Policing. That is why we have been working with ACT Policing on, if you like, opportunities to access and discuss issues with individual officers. The AFP have a particular wellbeing program which works very well with police officers both nationally and, importantly, here in the ACT.

Mrs Dunne: On a point of order, Madam Speaker, the question was not about what is being done. The question was: what is the incidence of police developing mental fatigue?

MADAM SPEAKER: Minister, you have a minute to go. I know you have addressed the issue of resourcing but perhaps you could address fatigue.

MR GENTLEMAN: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have not been briefed on any association between our increased investment in ACT Policing across a number of years and the mental health of ACT Policing officers. I will take the question on


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