❓ The Premier assures commitment to the curfew policy in Northbridge to protect unaccompanied young people and improve community amenity, addressing concerns about at-risk youth and related social issues.
AnsweredQoN 1178Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I am aware of community concern about the number of unaccompanied young people on the streets of Northbridge in my electorate at night. Can the Premier assure the House of the Government’s continued commitment to the current curfew policy and the actions necessary for long-term solutions to what is a serious community problem? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
I agree with the member for Perth that we have a serious community problem. The situation presented to me was that youngsters - some aged seven and eight years - were on the streets of Northbridge late at night and early in the morning, at risk and causing a nuisance to the community. I have seen the video tapes that the Police Service has of what has been going on in Northbridge late at night and early in the morning; it is not a pleasant picture. For anyone to say to me that those youngsters are not at risk in that situation - Mr C.J. Barnett: Who said that? Dr G.I. GALLOP: Lots of people are implying that and lots of people are saying that these youngsters have a right to be there. However, I do not share that view and I will do all I can to make sure that those youngsters are taken out of that at-risk situation and put on the right path in life. That is the responsibility of my Government and we will do it. The summer months are coming and we can expect that Northbridge might be an attraction for an increasing number of youngsters. I say this to the people of Western Australia, particularly those who live and work in Northbridge and those who visit that area: the Government will not resile from its commitment to make sure that these young people are protected and the amenity of that area is improved. This policy will remain in place until the safety of those children is secured, they are put on the right path in life and the right amenity is achieved for those who live and work in Northbridge and those who visit the area. The Government will not resile from the policy. Those who criticise the policy are sending the message to the community that it is okay for those youngsters to be there. In effect, they are encouraging some of those youngsters to go to the streets of Northbridge. That is unacceptable and I urge all community leaders in Western Australia not to criticise this policy but to join with us in bringing about an improvement in the life conditions of those youngsters. This is not a policy that has been developed in isolation. The Government is taking other initiatives to reunite these youngsters with their families and to work with their families. The Government acknowledges that it will not be easy. There is pressure on our system as a result of those youngsters going to Northbridge. There is pressure on the backups. There is pressure on the follow-up. There is pressure from the dysfunction of many families in our community. However, this Government will not sweep these issues under the carpet. We will confront these issues. I remain in contact with the Northbridge community and am talking to the community about how this issue is going. I am taking advice on how the follow-up and other mechanisms in the policy can be refined and developed so that we do not have an ongoing problem in this area. We will not resile from this policy. I say to the critics: get real and join us in putting these kids on a better path in life, rather than encourage them to go onto the streets late at night and early in the morning, thereby putting themselves at risk and creating a nuisance for the wider community.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I agree with the member for Perth that we have a serious community problem. The situation presented to me was that youngsters - some aged seven and eight years - were on the streets of Northbridge late at night and early in the morning, at risk and causing a nuisance to the community. I have seen the video tapes that the Police Service has of what has been going on in Northbridge late at night and early in the morning; it is not a pleasant picture. For anyone to say to me that those youngsters are not at risk in that situation - Mr C.J. Barnett: Who said that? Dr G.I. GALLOP: Lots of people are implying that and lots of people are saying that these youngsters have a right to be there. However, I do not share that view and I will do all I can to make sure that those youngsters are taken out of that at-risk situation and put on the right path in life. That is the responsibility of my Government and we will do it. The summer months are coming and we can expect that Northbridge might be an attraction for an increasing number of youngsters. I say this to the people of Western Australia, particularly those who live and work in Northbridge and those who visit that area: the Government will not resile from its commitment to make sure that these young people are protected and the amenity of that area is improved. This policy will remain in place until the safety of those children is secured, they are put on the right path in life and the right amenity is achieved for those who live and work in Northbridge and those who visit the area. The Government will not resile from the policy. Those who criticise the policy are sending the message to the community that it is okay for those youngsters to be there. In effect, they are encouraging some of those youngsters to go to the streets of Northbridge. That is unacceptable and I urge all community leaders in Western Australia not to criticise this policy but to join with us in bringing about an improvement in the life conditions of those youngsters. This is not a policy that has been developed in isolation. The Government is taking other initiatives to reunite these youngsters with their families and to work with their families. The Government acknowledges that it will not be easy. There is pressure on our system as a result of those youngsters going to Northbridge. There is pressure on the backups. There is pressure on the follow-up. There is pressure from the dysfunction of many families in our community. However, this Government will not sweep these issues under the carpet. We will confront these issues. I remain in contact with the Northbridge community and am talking to the community about how this issue is going. I am taking advice on how the follow-up and other mechanisms in the policy can be refined and developed so that we do not have an ongoing problem in this area. We will not resile from this policy. I say to the critics: get real and join us in putting these kids on a better path in life, rather than encourage them to go onto the streets late at night and early in the morning, thereby putting themselves at risk and creating a nuisance for the wider community.
I agree with the member for Perth that we have a serious community problem. The situation presented to me was that youngsters - some aged seven and eight years - were on the streets of Northbridge late at night and early in the morning, at risk and causing a nuisance to the community. I have seen the video tapes that the Police Service has of what has been going on in Northbridge late at night and early in the morning; it is not a pleasant picture. For anyone to say to me that those youngsters are not at risk in that situation - Mr C.J. Barnett: Who said that? Dr G.I. GALLOP: Lots of people are implying that and lots of people are saying that these youngsters have a right to be there. However, I do not share that view and I will do all I can to make sure that those youngsters are taken out of that at-risk situation and put on the right path in life. That is the responsibility of my Government and we will do it. The summer months are coming and we can expect that Northbridge might be an attraction for an increasing number of youngsters. I say this to the people of Western Australia, particularly those who live and work in Northbridge and those who visit that area: the Government will not resile from its commitment to make sure that these young people are protected and the amenity of that area is improved. This policy will remain in place until the safety of those children is secured, they are put on the right path in life and the right amenity is achieved for those who live and work in Northbridge and those who visit the area. The Government will not resile from the policy. Those who criticise the policy are sending the message to the community that it is okay for those youngsters to be there. In effect, they are encouraging some of those youngsters to go to the streets of Northbridge. That is unacceptable and I urge all community leaders in Western Australia not to criticise this policy but to join with us in bringing about an improvement in the life conditions of those youngsters. This is not a policy that has been developed in isolation. The Government is taking other initiatives to reunite these youngsters with their families and to work with their families. The Government acknowledges that it will not be easy. There is pressure on our system as a result of those youngsters going to Northbridge. There is pressure on the backups. There is pressure on the follow-up. There is pressure from the dysfunction of many families in our community. However, this Government will not sweep these issues under the carpet. We will confront these issues. I remain in contact with the Northbridge community and am talking to the community about how this issue is going. I am taking advice on how the follow-up and other mechanisms in the policy can be refined and developed so that we do not have an ongoing problem in this area. We will not resile from this policy. I say to the critics: get real and join us in putting these kids on a better path in life, rather than encourage them to go onto the streets late at night and early in the morning, thereby putting themselves at risk and creating a nuisance for the wider community.
Mr C.J. Barnett: Who said that? Dr G.I. GALLOP: Lots of people are implying that and lots of people are saying that these youngsters have a right to be there. However, I do not share that view and I will do all I can to make sure that those youngsters are taken out of that at-risk situation and put on the right path in life. That is the responsibility of my Government and we will do it. The summer months are coming and we can expect that Northbridge might be an attraction for an increasing number of youngsters. I say this to the people of Western Australia, particularly those who live and work in Northbridge and those who visit that area: the Government will not resile from its commitment to make sure that these young people are protected and the amenity of that area is improved. This policy will remain in place until the safety of those children is secured, they are put on the right path in life and the right amenity is achieved for those who live and work in Northbridge and those who visit the area. The Government will not resile from the policy. Those who criticise the policy are sending the message to the community that it is okay for those youngsters to be there. In effect, they are encouraging some of those youngsters to go to the streets of Northbridge. That is unacceptable and I urge all community leaders in Western Australia not to criticise this policy but to join with us in bringing about an improvement in the life conditions of those youngsters. This is not a policy that has been developed in isolation. The Government is taking other initiatives to reunite these youngsters with their families and to work with their families. The Government acknowledges that it will not be easy. There is pressure on our system as a result of those youngsters going to Northbridge. There is pressure on the backups. There is pressure on the follow-up. There is pressure from the dysfunction of many families in our community. However, this Government will not sweep these issues under the carpet. We will confront these issues. I remain in contact with the Northbridge community and am talking to the community about how this issue is going. I am taking advice on how the follow-up and other mechanisms in the policy can be refined and developed so that we do not have an ongoing problem in this area. We will not resile from this policy. I say to the critics: get real and join us in putting these kids on a better path in life, rather than encourage them to go onto the streets late at night and early in the morning, thereby putting themselves at risk and creating a nuisance for the wider community.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: Lots of people are implying that and lots of people are saying that these youngsters have a right to be there. However, I do not share that view and I will do all I can to make sure that those youngsters are taken out of that at-risk situation and put on the right path in life. That is the responsibility of my Government and we will do it. The summer months are coming and we can expect that Northbridge might be an attraction for an increasing number of youngsters. I say this to the people of Western Australia, particularly those who live and work in Northbridge and those who visit that area: the Government will not resile from its commitment to make sure that these young people are protected and the amenity of that area is improved. This policy will remain in place until the safety of those children is secured, they are put on the right path in life and the right amenity is achieved for those who live and work in Northbridge and those who visit the area. The Government will not resile from the policy. Those who criticise the policy are sending the message to the community that it is okay for those youngsters to be there. In effect, they are encouraging some of those youngsters to go to the streets of Northbridge. That is unacceptable and I urge all community leaders in Western Australia not to criticise this policy but to join with us in bringing about an improvement in the life conditions of those youngsters. This is not a policy that has been developed in isolation. The Government is taking other initiatives to reunite these youngsters with their families and to work with their families. The Government acknowledges that it will not be easy. There is pressure on our system as a result of those youngsters going to Northbridge. There is pressure on the backups. There is pressure on the follow-up. There is pressure from the dysfunction of many families in our community. However, this Government will not sweep these issues under the carpet. We will confront these issues. I remain in contact with the Northbridge community and am talking to the community about how this issue is going. I am taking advice on how the follow-up and other mechanisms in the policy can be refined and developed so that we do not have an ongoing problem in this area. We will not resile from this policy. I say to the critics: get real and join us in putting these kids on a better path in life, rather than encourage them to go onto the streets late at night and early in the morning, thereby putting themselves at risk and creating a nuisance for the wider community.
The summer months are coming and we can expect that Northbridge might be an attraction for an increasing number of youngsters. I say this to the people of Western Australia, particularly those who live and work in Northbridge and those who visit that area: the Government will not resile from its commitment to make sure that these young people are protected and the amenity of that area is improved. This policy will remain in place until the safety of those children is secured, they are put on the right path in life and the right amenity is achieved for those who live and work in Northbridge and those who visit the area. The Government will not resile from the policy. Those who criticise the policy are sending the message to the community that it is okay for those youngsters to be there. In effect, they are encouraging some of those youngsters to go to the streets of Northbridge. That is unacceptable and I urge all community leaders in Western Australia not to criticise this policy but to join with us in bringing about an improvement in the life conditions of those youngsters. This is not a policy that has been developed in isolation. The Government is taking other initiatives to reunite these youngsters with their families and to work with their families. The Government acknowledges that it will not be easy. There is pressure on our system as a result of those youngsters going to Northbridge. There is pressure on the backups. There is pressure on the follow-up. There is pressure from the dysfunction of many families in our community. However, this Government will not sweep these issues under the carpet. We will confront these issues. I remain in contact with the Northbridge community and am talking to the community about how this issue is going. I am taking advice on how the follow-up and other mechanisms in the policy can be refined and developed so that we do not have an ongoing problem in this area. We will not resile from this policy. I say to the critics: get real and join us in putting these kids on a better path in life, rather than encourage them to go onto the streets late at night and early in the morning, thereby putting themselves at risk and creating a nuisance for the wider community.
This is not a policy that has been developed in isolation. The Government is taking other initiatives to reunite these youngsters with their families and to work with their families. The Government acknowledges that it will not be easy. There is pressure on our system as a result of those youngsters going to Northbridge. There is pressure on the backups. There is pressure on the follow-up. There is pressure from the dysfunction of many families in our community. However, this Government will not sweep these issues under the carpet. We will confront these issues. I remain in contact with the Northbridge community and am talking to the community about how this issue is going. I am taking advice on how the follow-up and other mechanisms in the policy can be refined and developed so that we do not have an ongoing problem in this area. We will not resile from this policy. I say to the critics: get real and join us in putting these kids on a better path in life, rather than encourage them to go onto the streets late at night and early in the morning, thereby putting themselves at risk and creating a nuisance for the wider community.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I agree with the member for Perth that we have a serious community problem. The situation presented to me was that youngsters - some aged seven and eight years - were on the streets of Northbridge late at night and early in the morning, at risk and causing a nuisance to the community. I have seen the video tapes that the Police Service has of what has been going on in Northbridge late at night and early in the morning; it is not a pleasant picture. For anyone to say to me that those youngsters are not at risk in that situation - Mr C.J. Barnett: Who said that? Dr G.I. GALLOP: Lots of people are implying that and lots of people are saying that these youngsters have a right to be there. However, I do not share that view and I will do all I can to make sure that those youngsters are taken out of that at-risk situation and put on the right path in life. That is the responsibility of my Government and we will do it. The summer months are coming and we can expect that Northbridge might be an attraction for an increasing number of youngsters. I say this to the people of Western Australia, particularly those who live and work in Northbridge and those who visit that area: the Government will not resile from its commitment to make sure that these young people are protected and the amenity of that area is improved. This policy will remain in place until the safety of those children is secured, they are put on the right path in life and the right amenity is achieved for those who live and work in Northbridge and those who visit the area. The Government will not resile from the policy. Those who criticise the policy are sending the message to the community that it is okay for those youngsters to be there. In effect, they are encouraging some of those youngsters to go to the streets of Northbridge. That is unacceptable and I urge all community leaders in Western Australia not to criticise this policy but to join with us in bringing about an improvement in the life conditions of those youngsters. This is not a policy that has been developed in isolation. The Government is taking other initiatives to reunite these youngsters with their families and to work with their families. The Government acknowledges that it will not be easy. There is pressure on our system as a result of those youngsters going to Northbridge. There is pressure on the backups. There is pressure on the follow-up. There is pressure from the dysfunction of many families in our community. However, this Government will not sweep these issues under the carpet. We will confront these issues. I remain in contact with the Northbridge community and am talking to the community about how this issue is going. I am taking advice on how the follow-up and other mechanisms in the policy can be refined and developed so that we do not have an ongoing problem in this area. We will not resile from this policy. I say to the critics: get real and join us in putting these kids on a better path in life, rather than encourage them to go onto the streets late at night and early in the morning, thereby putting themselves at risk and creating a nuisance for the wider community.
I agree with the member for Perth that we have a serious community problem. The situation presented to me was that youngsters - some aged seven and eight years - were on the streets of Northbridge late at night and early in the morning, at risk and causing a nuisance to the community. I have seen the video tapes that the Police Service has of what has been going on in Northbridge late at night and early in the morning; it is not a pleasant picture. For anyone to say to me that those youngsters are not at risk in that situation - Mr C.J. Barnett: Who said that? Dr G.I. GALLOP: Lots of people are implying that and lots of people are saying that these youngsters have a right to be there. However, I do not share that view and I will do all I can to make sure that those youngsters are taken out of that at-risk situation and put on the right path in life. That is the responsibility of my Government and we will do it. The summer months are coming and we can expect that Northbridge might be an attraction for an increasing number of youngsters. I say this to the people of Western Australia, particularly those who live and work in Northbridge and those who visit that area: the Government will not resile from its commitment to make sure that these young people are protected and the amenity of that area is improved. This policy will remain in place until the safety of those children is secured, they are put on the right path in life and the right amenity is achieved for those who live and work in Northbridge and those who visit the area. The Government will not resile from the policy. Those who criticise the policy are sending the message to the community that it is okay for those youngsters to be there. In effect, they are encouraging some of those youngsters to go to the streets of Northbridge. That is unacceptable and I urge all community leaders in Western Australia not to criticise this policy but to join with us in bringing about an improvement in the life conditions of those youngsters. This is not a policy that has been developed in isolation. The Government is taking other initiatives to reunite these youngsters with their families and to work with their families. The Government acknowledges that it will not be easy. There is pressure on our system as a result of those youngsters going to Northbridge. There is pressure on the backups. There is pressure on the follow-up. There is pressure from the dysfunction of many families in our community. However, this Government will not sweep these issues under the carpet. We will confront these issues. I remain in contact with the Northbridge community and am talking to the community about how this issue is going. I am taking advice on how the follow-up and other mechanisms in the policy can be refined and developed so that we do not have an ongoing problem in this area. We will not resile from this policy. I say to the critics: get real and join us in putting these kids on a better path in life, rather than encourage them to go onto the streets late at night and early in the morning, thereby putting themselves at risk and creating a nuisance for the wider community.
Mr C.J. Barnett: Who said that? Dr G.I. GALLOP: Lots of people are implying that and lots of people are saying that these youngsters have a right to be there. However, I do not share that view and I will do all I can to make sure that those youngsters are taken out of that at-risk situation and put on the right path in life. That is the responsibility of my Government and we will do it. The summer months are coming and we can expect that Northbridge might be an attraction for an increasing number of youngsters. I say this to the people of Western Australia, particularly those who live and work in Northbridge and those who visit that area: the Government will not resile from its commitment to make sure that these young people are protected and the amenity of that area is improved. This policy will remain in place until the safety of those children is secured, they are put on the right path in life and the right amenity is achieved for those who live and work in Northbridge and those who visit the area. The Government will not resile from the policy. Those who criticise the policy are sending the message to the community that it is okay for those youngsters to be there. In effect, they are encouraging some of those youngsters to go to the streets of Northbridge. That is unacceptable and I urge all community leaders in Western Australia not to criticise this policy but to join with us in bringing about an improvement in the life conditions of those youngsters. This is not a policy that has been developed in isolation. The Government is taking other initiatives to reunite these youngsters with their families and to work with their families. The Government acknowledges that it will not be easy. There is pressure on our system as a result of those youngsters going to Northbridge. There is pressure on the backups. There is pressure on the follow-up. There is pressure from the dysfunction of many families in our community. However, this Government will not sweep these issues under the carpet. We will confront these issues. I remain in contact with the Northbridge community and am talking to the community about how this issue is going. I am taking advice on how the follow-up and other mechanisms in the policy can be refined and developed so that we do not have an ongoing problem in this area. We will not resile from this policy. I say to the critics: get real and join us in putting these kids on a better path in life, rather than encourage them to go onto the streets late at night and early in the morning, thereby putting themselves at risk and creating a nuisance for the wider community.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: Lots of people are implying that and lots of people are saying that these youngsters have a right to be there. However, I do not share that view and I will do all I can to make sure that those youngsters are taken out of that at-risk situation and put on the right path in life. That is the responsibility of my Government and we will do it. The summer months are coming and we can expect that Northbridge might be an attraction for an increasing number of youngsters. I say this to the people of Western Australia, particularly those who live and work in Northbridge and those who visit that area: the Government will not resile from its commitment to make sure that these young people are protected and the amenity of that area is improved. This policy will remain in place until the safety of those children is secured, they are put on the right path in life and the right amenity is achieved for those who live and work in Northbridge and those who visit the area. The Government will not resile from the policy. Those who criticise the policy are sending the message to the community that it is okay for those youngsters to be there. In effect, they are encouraging some of those youngsters to go to the streets of Northbridge. That is unacceptable and I urge all community leaders in Western Australia not to criticise this policy but to join with us in bringing about an improvement in the life conditions of those youngsters. This is not a policy that has been developed in isolation. The Government is taking other initiatives to reunite these youngsters with their families and to work with their families. The Government acknowledges that it will not be easy. There is pressure on our system as a result of those youngsters going to Northbridge. There is pressure on the backups. There is pressure on the follow-up. There is pressure from the dysfunction of many families in our community. However, this Government will not sweep these issues under the carpet. We will confront these issues. I remain in contact with the Northbridge community and am talking to the community about how this issue is going. I am taking advice on how the follow-up and other mechanisms in the policy can be refined and developed so that we do not have an ongoing problem in this area. We will not resile from this policy. I say to the critics: get real and join us in putting these kids on a better path in life, rather than encourage them to go onto the streets late at night and early in the morning, thereby putting themselves at risk and creating a nuisance for the wider community.
The summer months are coming and we can expect that Northbridge might be an attraction for an increasing number of youngsters. I say this to the people of Western Australia, particularly those who live and work in Northbridge and those who visit that area: the Government will not resile from its commitment to make sure that these young people are protected and the amenity of that area is improved. This policy will remain in place until the safety of those children is secured, they are put on the right path in life and the right amenity is achieved for those who live and work in Northbridge and those who visit the area. The Government will not resile from the policy. Those who criticise the policy are sending the message to the community that it is okay for those youngsters to be there. In effect, they are encouraging some of those youngsters to go to the streets of Northbridge. That is unacceptable and I urge all community leaders in Western Australia not to criticise this policy but to join with us in bringing about an improvement in the life conditions of those youngsters. This is not a policy that has been developed in isolation. The Government is taking other initiatives to reunite these youngsters with their families and to work with their families. The Government acknowledges that it will not be easy. There is pressure on our system as a result of those youngsters going to Northbridge. There is pressure on the backups. There is pressure on the follow-up. There is pressure from the dysfunction of many families in our community. However, this Government will not sweep these issues under the carpet. We will confront these issues. I remain in contact with the Northbridge community and am talking to the community about how this issue is going. I am taking advice on how the follow-up and other mechanisms in the policy can be refined and developed so that we do not have an ongoing problem in this area. We will not resile from this policy. I say to the critics: get real and join us in putting these kids on a better path in life, rather than encourage them to go onto the streets late at night and early in the morning, thereby putting themselves at risk and creating a nuisance for the wider community.
This is not a policy that has been developed in isolation. The Government is taking other initiatives to reunite these youngsters with their families and to work with their families. The Government acknowledges that it will not be easy. There is pressure on our system as a result of those youngsters going to Northbridge. There is pressure on the backups. There is pressure on the follow-up. There is pressure from the dysfunction of many families in our community. However, this Government will not sweep these issues under the carpet. We will confront these issues. I remain in contact with the Northbridge community and am talking to the community about how this issue is going. I am taking advice on how the follow-up and other mechanisms in the policy can be refined and developed so that we do not have an ongoing problem in this area. We will not resile from this policy. I say to the critics: get real and join us in putting these kids on a better path in life, rather than encourage them to go onto the streets late at night and early in the morning, thereby putting themselves at risk and creating a nuisance for the wider community.
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