❓ Opposition questions the Premier's claim of wide consultation regarding a juvenile curfew in Northbridge, citing specific organizations allegedly not consulted. The Premier defends the policy and accuses the opposition of being divided on the issue.
AnsweredQoN 639Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the Premier to his comments on ABC radio yesterday morning in relation to his plan to impose a curfew on juveniles in Northbridge. The Premier said that this matter has been consulted widely with the work the Government has been doing in Northbridge - so, the Government has consulted widely in the area on the issue. (1) Can the Premier confirm reports in The West Australian today that Mission Australia WA was not consulted, the Perth City Council was not consulted, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission was not consulted, the Juvenile Justice Network was not consulted, the Youth Affairs Council was not consulted and the Noongar Patrol was not consulted? (2) Will the Premier admit that he has not consulted widely, if at all, and that he has therefore misled the people of Western Australia? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) One thing is certain: I did not consult the Liberal Party because it is a bit behind the times on this important issue. First, widespread discussion has taken place for some years on a curfew in Northbridge. It has been raised on numerous occasions by local businesses, and discussed in the context of the work the Government has been doing with the City of Perth to improve the amenity of the area. More specifically, the possibility of a curfew was raised at a meeting on 7 March 2003 involving the police; the Department of Justice; the Office of Racing, Gaming and Liquor; the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission; the City of Perth and the Noongar Patrol, convened by the Department of Premier and Cabinet. The meeting was called to canvass the broader issue of public order in Northbridge and to consider options to improve public safety and security. The general issue had been canvassed. I was made aware of some work carried out by the police in January, February and March this year indicating a serious problem. Excellent work is being carried out by the Noongar Patrol, Mission Australia and the juvenile aid group in the Police Service on this question. Despite all the excellent work, we still have a problem. I make no apologies for the fact I took leadership on the issue. I took leadership on a simple point, Leader of the Opposition: is it appropriate to have six-year-old children on the streets in Northbridge unsupervised? Is it desirable to have young children aged 10 to 13 on the streets of Northbridge unsupervised? I have made it clear that my Government will not tolerate that situation. The Government will introduce a new policy on that area to enable us to deal with the problem. It is interesting that the Opposition is not united on this point. The Leader of the Opposition is opposed to the curfew, but the member for Kalgoorlie is very keen on it. Division has already arisen in the ranks of the Opposition on this question. This proposal has emerged from the Department of Premier and Cabinet, which reports to me as the minister responsible for crime prevention. I make no apologies for taking leadership on an issue that relates to the welfare and interests of the children of this State. As we have taken leadership on child sex abuse in Aboriginal communities, so we will take leadership on vulnerable and at-risk children on the streets of Northbridge.
(1) Can the Premier confirm reports in The West Australian today that Mission Australia WA was not consulted, the Perth City Council was not consulted, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission was not consulted, the Juvenile Justice Network was not consulted, the Youth Affairs Council was not consulted and the Noongar Patrol was not consulted? (2) Will the Premier admit that he has not consulted widely, if at all, and that he has therefore misled the people of Western Australia? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) One thing is certain: I did not consult the Liberal Party because it is a bit behind the times on this important issue. First, widespread discussion has taken place for some years on a curfew in Northbridge. It has been raised on numerous occasions by local businesses, and discussed in the context of the work the Government has been doing with the City of Perth to improve the amenity of the area. More specifically, the possibility of a curfew was raised at a meeting on 7 March 2003 involving the police; the Department of Justice; the Office of Racing, Gaming and Liquor; the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission; the City of Perth and the Noongar Patrol, convened by the Department of Premier and Cabinet. The meeting was called to canvass the broader issue of public order in Northbridge and to consider options to improve public safety and security. The general issue had been canvassed. I was made aware of some work carried out by the police in January, February and March this year indicating a serious problem. Excellent work is being carried out by the Noongar Patrol, Mission Australia and the juvenile aid group in the Police Service on this question. Despite all the excellent work, we still have a problem. I make no apologies for the fact I took leadership on the issue. I took leadership on a simple point, Leader of the Opposition: is it appropriate to have six-year-old children on the streets in Northbridge unsupervised? Is it desirable to have young children aged 10 to 13 on the streets of Northbridge unsupervised? I have made it clear that my Government will not tolerate that situation. The Government will introduce a new policy on that area to enable us to deal with the problem. It is interesting that the Opposition is not united on this point. The Leader of the Opposition is opposed to the curfew, but the member for Kalgoorlie is very keen on it. Division has already arisen in the ranks of the Opposition on this question. This proposal has emerged from the Department of Premier and Cabinet, which reports to me as the minister responsible for crime prevention. I make no apologies for taking leadership on an issue that relates to the welfare and interests of the children of this State. As we have taken leadership on child sex abuse in Aboriginal communities, so we will take leadership on vulnerable and at-risk children on the streets of Northbridge.
(2) Will the Premier admit that he has not consulted widely, if at all, and that he has therefore misled the people of Western Australia? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) One thing is certain: I did not consult the Liberal Party because it is a bit behind the times on this important issue. First, widespread discussion has taken place for some years on a curfew in Northbridge. It has been raised on numerous occasions by local businesses, and discussed in the context of the work the Government has been doing with the City of Perth to improve the amenity of the area. More specifically, the possibility of a curfew was raised at a meeting on 7 March 2003 involving the police; the Department of Justice; the Office of Racing, Gaming and Liquor; the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission; the City of Perth and the Noongar Patrol, convened by the Department of Premier and Cabinet. The meeting was called to canvass the broader issue of public order in Northbridge and to consider options to improve public safety and security. The general issue had been canvassed. I was made aware of some work carried out by the police in January, February and March this year indicating a serious problem. Excellent work is being carried out by the Noongar Patrol, Mission Australia and the juvenile aid group in the Police Service on this question. Despite all the excellent work, we still have a problem. I make no apologies for the fact I took leadership on the issue. I took leadership on a simple point, Leader of the Opposition: is it appropriate to have six-year-old children on the streets in Northbridge unsupervised? Is it desirable to have young children aged 10 to 13 on the streets of Northbridge unsupervised? I have made it clear that my Government will not tolerate that situation. The Government will introduce a new policy on that area to enable us to deal with the problem. It is interesting that the Opposition is not united on this point. The Leader of the Opposition is opposed to the curfew, but the member for Kalgoorlie is very keen on it. Division has already arisen in the ranks of the Opposition on this question. This proposal has emerged from the Department of Premier and Cabinet, which reports to me as the minister responsible for crime prevention. I make no apologies for taking leadership on an issue that relates to the welfare and interests of the children of this State. As we have taken leadership on child sex abuse in Aboriginal communities, so we will take leadership on vulnerable and at-risk children on the streets of Northbridge.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) One thing is certain: I did not consult the Liberal Party because it is a bit behind the times on this important issue. First, widespread discussion has taken place for some years on a curfew in Northbridge. It has been raised on numerous occasions by local businesses, and discussed in the context of the work the Government has been doing with the City of Perth to improve the amenity of the area. More specifically, the possibility of a curfew was raised at a meeting on 7 March 2003 involving the police; the Department of Justice; the Office of Racing, Gaming and Liquor; the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission; the City of Perth and the Noongar Patrol, convened by the Department of Premier and Cabinet. The meeting was called to canvass the broader issue of public order in Northbridge and to consider options to improve public safety and security. The general issue had been canvassed. I was made aware of some work carried out by the police in January, February and March this year indicating a serious problem. Excellent work is being carried out by the Noongar Patrol, Mission Australia and the juvenile aid group in the Police Service on this question. Despite all the excellent work, we still have a problem. I make no apologies for the fact I took leadership on the issue. I took leadership on a simple point, Leader of the Opposition: is it appropriate to have six-year-old children on the streets in Northbridge unsupervised? Is it desirable to have young children aged 10 to 13 on the streets of Northbridge unsupervised? I have made it clear that my Government will not tolerate that situation. The Government will introduce a new policy on that area to enable us to deal with the problem. It is interesting that the Opposition is not united on this point. The Leader of the Opposition is opposed to the curfew, but the member for Kalgoorlie is very keen on it. Division has already arisen in the ranks of the Opposition on this question. This proposal has emerged from the Department of Premier and Cabinet, which reports to me as the minister responsible for crime prevention. I make no apologies for taking leadership on an issue that relates to the welfare and interests of the children of this State. As we have taken leadership on child sex abuse in Aboriginal communities, so we will take leadership on vulnerable and at-risk children on the streets of Northbridge.
(1)-(2) One thing is certain: I did not consult the Liberal Party because it is a bit behind the times on this important issue. First, widespread discussion has taken place for some years on a curfew in Northbridge. It has been raised on numerous occasions by local businesses, and discussed in the context of the work the Government has been doing with the City of Perth to improve the amenity of the area. More specifically, the possibility of a curfew was raised at a meeting on 7 March 2003 involving the police; the Department of Justice; the Office of Racing, Gaming and Liquor; the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission; the City of Perth and the Noongar Patrol, convened by the Department of Premier and Cabinet. The meeting was called to canvass the broader issue of public order in Northbridge and to consider options to improve public safety and security. The general issue had been canvassed. I was made aware of some work carried out by the police in January, February and March this year indicating a serious problem. Excellent work is being carried out by the Noongar Patrol, Mission Australia and the juvenile aid group in the Police Service on this question. Despite all the excellent work, we still have a problem. I make no apologies for the fact I took leadership on the issue. I took leadership on a simple point, Leader of the Opposition: is it appropriate to have six-year-old children on the streets in Northbridge unsupervised? Is it desirable to have young children aged 10 to 13 on the streets of Northbridge unsupervised? I have made it clear that my Government will not tolerate that situation. The Government will introduce a new policy on that area to enable us to deal with the problem. It is interesting that the Opposition is not united on this point. The Leader of the Opposition is opposed to the curfew, but the member for Kalgoorlie is very keen on it. Division has already arisen in the ranks of the Opposition on this question. This proposal has emerged from the Department of Premier and Cabinet, which reports to me as the minister responsible for crime prevention. I make no apologies for taking leadership on an issue that relates to the welfare and interests of the children of this State. As we have taken leadership on child sex abuse in Aboriginal communities, so we will take leadership on vulnerable and at-risk children on the streets of Northbridge.
It is interesting that the Opposition is not united on this point. The Leader of the Opposition is opposed to the curfew, but the member for Kalgoorlie is very keen on it. Division has already arisen in the ranks of the Opposition on this question. This proposal has emerged from the Department of Premier and Cabinet, which reports to me as the minister responsible for crime prevention. I make no apologies for taking leadership on an issue that relates to the welfare and interests of the children of this State. As we have taken leadership on child sex abuse in Aboriginal communities, so we will take leadership on vulnerable and at-risk children on the streets of Northbridge.
(1) Can the Premier confirm reports in The West Australian today that Mission Australia WA was not consulted, the Perth City Council was not consulted, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission was not consulted, the Juvenile Justice Network was not consulted, the Youth Affairs Council was not consulted and the Noongar Patrol was not consulted? (2) Will the Premier admit that he has not consulted widely, if at all, and that he has therefore misled the people of Western Australia? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) One thing is certain: I did not consult the Liberal Party because it is a bit behind the times on this important issue. First, widespread discussion has taken place for some years on a curfew in Northbridge. It has been raised on numerous occasions by local businesses, and discussed in the context of the work the Government has been doing with the City of Perth to improve the amenity of the area. More specifically, the possibility of a curfew was raised at a meeting on 7 March 2003 involving the police; the Department of Justice; the Office of Racing, Gaming and Liquor; the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission; the City of Perth and the Noongar Patrol, convened by the Department of Premier and Cabinet. The meeting was called to canvass the broader issue of public order in Northbridge and to consider options to improve public safety and security. The general issue had been canvassed. I was made aware of some work carried out by the police in January, February and March this year indicating a serious problem. Excellent work is being carried out by the Noongar Patrol, Mission Australia and the juvenile aid group in the Police Service on this question. Despite all the excellent work, we still have a problem. I make no apologies for the fact I took leadership on the issue. I took leadership on a simple point, Leader of the Opposition: is it appropriate to have six-year-old children on the streets in Northbridge unsupervised? Is it desirable to have young children aged 10 to 13 on the streets of Northbridge unsupervised? I have made it clear that my Government will not tolerate that situation. The Government will introduce a new policy on that area to enable us to deal with the problem. It is interesting that the Opposition is not united on this point. The Leader of the Opposition is opposed to the curfew, but the member for Kalgoorlie is very keen on it. Division has already arisen in the ranks of the Opposition on this question. This proposal has emerged from the Department of Premier and Cabinet, which reports to me as the minister responsible for crime prevention. I make no apologies for taking leadership on an issue that relates to the welfare and interests of the children of this State. As we have taken leadership on child sex abuse in Aboriginal communities, so we will take leadership on vulnerable and at-risk children on the streets of Northbridge.
(2) Will the Premier admit that he has not consulted widely, if at all, and that he has therefore misled the people of Western Australia? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) One thing is certain: I did not consult the Liberal Party because it is a bit behind the times on this important issue. First, widespread discussion has taken place for some years on a curfew in Northbridge. It has been raised on numerous occasions by local businesses, and discussed in the context of the work the Government has been doing with the City of Perth to improve the amenity of the area. More specifically, the possibility of a curfew was raised at a meeting on 7 March 2003 involving the police; the Department of Justice; the Office of Racing, Gaming and Liquor; the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission; the City of Perth and the Noongar Patrol, convened by the Department of Premier and Cabinet. The meeting was called to canvass the broader issue of public order in Northbridge and to consider options to improve public safety and security. The general issue had been canvassed. I was made aware of some work carried out by the police in January, February and March this year indicating a serious problem. Excellent work is being carried out by the Noongar Patrol, Mission Australia and the juvenile aid group in the Police Service on this question. Despite all the excellent work, we still have a problem. I make no apologies for the fact I took leadership on the issue. I took leadership on a simple point, Leader of the Opposition: is it appropriate to have six-year-old children on the streets in Northbridge unsupervised? Is it desirable to have young children aged 10 to 13 on the streets of Northbridge unsupervised? I have made it clear that my Government will not tolerate that situation. The Government will introduce a new policy on that area to enable us to deal with the problem. It is interesting that the Opposition is not united on this point. The Leader of the Opposition is opposed to the curfew, but the member for Kalgoorlie is very keen on it. Division has already arisen in the ranks of the Opposition on this question. This proposal has emerged from the Department of Premier and Cabinet, which reports to me as the minister responsible for crime prevention. I make no apologies for taking leadership on an issue that relates to the welfare and interests of the children of this State. As we have taken leadership on child sex abuse in Aboriginal communities, so we will take leadership on vulnerable and at-risk children on the streets of Northbridge.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) One thing is certain: I did not consult the Liberal Party because it is a bit behind the times on this important issue. First, widespread discussion has taken place for some years on a curfew in Northbridge. It has been raised on numerous occasions by local businesses, and discussed in the context of the work the Government has been doing with the City of Perth to improve the amenity of the area. More specifically, the possibility of a curfew was raised at a meeting on 7 March 2003 involving the police; the Department of Justice; the Office of Racing, Gaming and Liquor; the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission; the City of Perth and the Noongar Patrol, convened by the Department of Premier and Cabinet. The meeting was called to canvass the broader issue of public order in Northbridge and to consider options to improve public safety and security. The general issue had been canvassed. I was made aware of some work carried out by the police in January, February and March this year indicating a serious problem. Excellent work is being carried out by the Noongar Patrol, Mission Australia and the juvenile aid group in the Police Service on this question. Despite all the excellent work, we still have a problem. I make no apologies for the fact I took leadership on the issue. I took leadership on a simple point, Leader of the Opposition: is it appropriate to have six-year-old children on the streets in Northbridge unsupervised? Is it desirable to have young children aged 10 to 13 on the streets of Northbridge unsupervised? I have made it clear that my Government will not tolerate that situation. The Government will introduce a new policy on that area to enable us to deal with the problem. It is interesting that the Opposition is not united on this point. The Leader of the Opposition is opposed to the curfew, but the member for Kalgoorlie is very keen on it. Division has already arisen in the ranks of the Opposition on this question. This proposal has emerged from the Department of Premier and Cabinet, which reports to me as the minister responsible for crime prevention. I make no apologies for taking leadership on an issue that relates to the welfare and interests of the children of this State. As we have taken leadership on child sex abuse in Aboriginal communities, so we will take leadership on vulnerable and at-risk children on the streets of Northbridge.
(1)-(2) One thing is certain: I did not consult the Liberal Party because it is a bit behind the times on this important issue. First, widespread discussion has taken place for some years on a curfew in Northbridge. It has been raised on numerous occasions by local businesses, and discussed in the context of the work the Government has been doing with the City of Perth to improve the amenity of the area. More specifically, the possibility of a curfew was raised at a meeting on 7 March 2003 involving the police; the Department of Justice; the Office of Racing, Gaming and Liquor; the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission; the City of Perth and the Noongar Patrol, convened by the Department of Premier and Cabinet. The meeting was called to canvass the broader issue of public order in Northbridge and to consider options to improve public safety and security. The general issue had been canvassed. I was made aware of some work carried out by the police in January, February and March this year indicating a serious problem. Excellent work is being carried out by the Noongar Patrol, Mission Australia and the juvenile aid group in the Police Service on this question. Despite all the excellent work, we still have a problem. I make no apologies for the fact I took leadership on the issue. I took leadership on a simple point, Leader of the Opposition: is it appropriate to have six-year-old children on the streets in Northbridge unsupervised? Is it desirable to have young children aged 10 to 13 on the streets of Northbridge unsupervised? I have made it clear that my Government will not tolerate that situation. The Government will introduce a new policy on that area to enable us to deal with the problem. It is interesting that the Opposition is not united on this point. The Leader of the Opposition is opposed to the curfew, but the member for Kalgoorlie is very keen on it. Division has already arisen in the ranks of the Opposition on this question. This proposal has emerged from the Department of Premier and Cabinet, which reports to me as the minister responsible for crime prevention. I make no apologies for taking leadership on an issue that relates to the welfare and interests of the children of this State. As we have taken leadership on child sex abuse in Aboriginal communities, so we will take leadership on vulnerable and at-risk children on the streets of Northbridge.
It is interesting that the Opposition is not united on this point. The Leader of the Opposition is opposed to the curfew, but the member for Kalgoorlie is very keen on it. Division has already arisen in the ranks of the Opposition on this question. This proposal has emerged from the Department of Premier and Cabinet, which reports to me as the minister responsible for crime prevention. I make no apologies for taking leadership on an issue that relates to the welfare and interests of the children of this State. As we have taken leadership on child sex abuse in Aboriginal communities, so we will take leadership on vulnerable and at-risk children on the streets of Northbridge.
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