❓ Mr. Graham questions the Premier about the disparity in government care and protection between Northbridge businesses and residents of regional towns like South Hedland and Halls Creek regarding crime and child welfare. The Premier responds by outlining ongoing efforts to address antisocial behavior across WA, highlighting the unique challenges of Northbridge and promising continued dialogue with regional communities.
AnsweredQoN 630Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the front-page article in today’s The West Australian regarding the use of the Child Welfare Act to address crime and child welfare issues in Northbridge. I know that the Government is aware that the situation in many north west towns is significantly worse than that of Northbridge. Residents of South Hedland, Halls Creek and many other towns have been trying for years to get the Department for Community Development to comply with its own law and act on these matters. The department still refuses to take any meaningful action. Given the widespread problem in regional Western Australia, particularly in Halls Creek and South Hedland, will the Premier personally take command and ensure that the residents of those towns receive the same level of government care and protection as the businesses of Northbridge; and, if not, why not? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
The Government is working with communities across Western Australia to develop strategies to deal with antisocial behaviour. The Office of Crime Prevention, in conjunction with many organisations throughout the State, is looking for solutions to these issues. The Government has looked at the situation in Northbridge for a number of years, in consultation with the City of Perth. The Government issued a report last year that was supported by the City of Perth. The Government has also held discussions with the Police Service, and the Police Service has been given extra resources for that area. The Government undertook intensive activity in January, February and March and has decided that it needs to go a step further to deal with the Northbridge situation. A dialogue is being conducted throughout the State with particular communities on their problems. We must ensure that we have the right answers for each of those communities. I do not agree with the member when he says that the Government and the Department for Community Development are doing nothing about South Hedland. That is an area to which we have given attention. Discussions between the local communities, the police and the Department for Community Development about the right way to go forward are continuing. We have an open mind about what needs to be done in every community. Entertainment activity occurs throughout the night in Northbridge. That makes it different from other parts of the State. The vulnerability of children in that context is a matter that seriously concerns the Government. My answer to the member is that we will continue the dialogue with people in the Pilbara and other parts of the State about the crime prevention strategies that need to be put into place. As a result of the work that has been done in Northbridge, we have decided that a curfew is warranted in that area.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: The Government is working with communities across Western Australia to develop strategies to deal with antisocial behaviour. The Office of Crime Prevention, in conjunction with many organisations throughout the State, is looking for solutions to these issues. The Government has looked at the situation in Northbridge for a number of years, in consultation with the City of Perth. The Government issued a report last year that was supported by the City of Perth. The Government has also held discussions with the Police Service, and the Police Service has been given extra resources for that area. The Government undertook intensive activity in January, February and March and has decided that it needs to go a step further to deal with the Northbridge situation. A dialogue is being conducted throughout the State with particular communities on their problems. We must ensure that we have the right answers for each of those communities. I do not agree with the member when he says that the Government and the Department for Community Development are doing nothing about South Hedland. That is an area to which we have given attention. Discussions between the local communities, the police and the Department for Community Development about the right way to go forward are continuing. We have an open mind about what needs to be done in every community. Entertainment activity occurs throughout the night in Northbridge. That makes it different from other parts of the State. The vulnerability of children in that context is a matter that seriously concerns the Government. My answer to the member is that we will continue the dialogue with people in the Pilbara and other parts of the State about the crime prevention strategies that need to be put into place. As a result of the work that has been done in Northbridge, we have decided that a curfew is warranted in that area.
The Government is working with communities across Western Australia to develop strategies to deal with antisocial behaviour. The Office of Crime Prevention, in conjunction with many organisations throughout the State, is looking for solutions to these issues. The Government has looked at the situation in Northbridge for a number of years, in consultation with the City of Perth. The Government issued a report last year that was supported by the City of Perth. The Government has also held discussions with the Police Service, and the Police Service has been given extra resources for that area. The Government undertook intensive activity in January, February and March and has decided that it needs to go a step further to deal with the Northbridge situation. A dialogue is being conducted throughout the State with particular communities on their problems. We must ensure that we have the right answers for each of those communities. I do not agree with the member when he says that the Government and the Department for Community Development are doing nothing about South Hedland. That is an area to which we have given attention. Discussions between the local communities, the police and the Department for Community Development about the right way to go forward are continuing. We have an open mind about what needs to be done in every community. Entertainment activity occurs throughout the night in Northbridge. That makes it different from other parts of the State. The vulnerability of children in that context is a matter that seriously concerns the Government. My answer to the member is that we will continue the dialogue with people in the Pilbara and other parts of the State about the crime prevention strategies that need to be put into place. As a result of the work that has been done in Northbridge, we have decided that a curfew is warranted in that area.
The Government undertook intensive activity in January, February and March and has decided that it needs to go a step further to deal with the Northbridge situation. A dialogue is being conducted throughout the State with particular communities on their problems. We must ensure that we have the right answers for each of those communities. I do not agree with the member when he says that the Government and the Department for Community Development are doing nothing about South Hedland. That is an area to which we have given attention. Discussions between the local communities, the police and the Department for Community Development about the right way to go forward are continuing. We have an open mind about what needs to be done in every community. Entertainment activity occurs throughout the night in Northbridge. That makes it different from other parts of the State. The vulnerability of children in that context is a matter that seriously concerns the Government. My answer to the member is that we will continue the dialogue with people in the Pilbara and other parts of the State about the crime prevention strategies that need to be put into place. As a result of the work that has been done in Northbridge, we have decided that a curfew is warranted in that area.
My answer to the member is that we will continue the dialogue with people in the Pilbara and other parts of the State about the crime prevention strategies that need to be put into place. As a result of the work that has been done in Northbridge, we have decided that a curfew is warranted in that area.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: The Government is working with communities across Western Australia to develop strategies to deal with antisocial behaviour. The Office of Crime Prevention, in conjunction with many organisations throughout the State, is looking for solutions to these issues. The Government has looked at the situation in Northbridge for a number of years, in consultation with the City of Perth. The Government issued a report last year that was supported by the City of Perth. The Government has also held discussions with the Police Service, and the Police Service has been given extra resources for that area. The Government undertook intensive activity in January, February and March and has decided that it needs to go a step further to deal with the Northbridge situation. A dialogue is being conducted throughout the State with particular communities on their problems. We must ensure that we have the right answers for each of those communities. I do not agree with the member when he says that the Government and the Department for Community Development are doing nothing about South Hedland. That is an area to which we have given attention. Discussions between the local communities, the police and the Department for Community Development about the right way to go forward are continuing. We have an open mind about what needs to be done in every community. Entertainment activity occurs throughout the night in Northbridge. That makes it different from other parts of the State. The vulnerability of children in that context is a matter that seriously concerns the Government. My answer to the member is that we will continue the dialogue with people in the Pilbara and other parts of the State about the crime prevention strategies that need to be put into place. As a result of the work that has been done in Northbridge, we have decided that a curfew is warranted in that area.
The Government is working with communities across Western Australia to develop strategies to deal with antisocial behaviour. The Office of Crime Prevention, in conjunction with many organisations throughout the State, is looking for solutions to these issues. The Government has looked at the situation in Northbridge for a number of years, in consultation with the City of Perth. The Government issued a report last year that was supported by the City of Perth. The Government has also held discussions with the Police Service, and the Police Service has been given extra resources for that area. The Government undertook intensive activity in January, February and March and has decided that it needs to go a step further to deal with the Northbridge situation. A dialogue is being conducted throughout the State with particular communities on their problems. We must ensure that we have the right answers for each of those communities. I do not agree with the member when he says that the Government and the Department for Community Development are doing nothing about South Hedland. That is an area to which we have given attention. Discussions between the local communities, the police and the Department for Community Development about the right way to go forward are continuing. We have an open mind about what needs to be done in every community. Entertainment activity occurs throughout the night in Northbridge. That makes it different from other parts of the State. The vulnerability of children in that context is a matter that seriously concerns the Government. My answer to the member is that we will continue the dialogue with people in the Pilbara and other parts of the State about the crime prevention strategies that need to be put into place. As a result of the work that has been done in Northbridge, we have decided that a curfew is warranted in that area.
The Government undertook intensive activity in January, February and March and has decided that it needs to go a step further to deal with the Northbridge situation. A dialogue is being conducted throughout the State with particular communities on their problems. We must ensure that we have the right answers for each of those communities. I do not agree with the member when he says that the Government and the Department for Community Development are doing nothing about South Hedland. That is an area to which we have given attention. Discussions between the local communities, the police and the Department for Community Development about the right way to go forward are continuing. We have an open mind about what needs to be done in every community. Entertainment activity occurs throughout the night in Northbridge. That makes it different from other parts of the State. The vulnerability of children in that context is a matter that seriously concerns the Government. My answer to the member is that we will continue the dialogue with people in the Pilbara and other parts of the State about the crime prevention strategies that need to be put into place. As a result of the work that has been done in Northbridge, we have decided that a curfew is warranted in that area.
My answer to the member is that we will continue the dialogue with people in the Pilbara and other parts of the State about the crime prevention strategies that need to be put into place. As a result of the work that has been done in Northbridge, we have decided that a curfew is warranted in that area.
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