Dr Gallop questions Premier Court on the refusal to establish a royal commission into police corruption, despite evidence. Premier Court defends the government's actions, citing investment in the police force and reliance on the Anti-Corruption Commission.

AnsweredQoN 4Legislative Assembly
Asked
8 August 2000
Member
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

Given the continuing evidence of serious police corruption in Western Australia, why does the Premier consistently oppose the establishment of a royal commission? We need a royal commission and we need it now, Premier! Mr COURT

AnswerView source ↗

This Parliament put in place a very powerful and well-resourced Anti-Corruption Commission. We have said as a Government that if the ACC or the Commissioner of Police were to recommend a royal commission, we would act immediately. We have implemented major changes in both the culture and operations within our Police Service, and we are proud of the professional way in which our police carry out their responsibilities. This Government has done, and will continue to do, everything in its power to ensure that corruption is exposed. This Government inherited a Police Service that was demoralised, underfunded and not in good shape, and it has changed that service into the most professional Police Service in this country. We have nearly doubled the Police budget, and last week I opened the twenty-seventh new police station in this State during the time of this Government. Also, more than $100m worth of new technology is being rolled out to support our Police Service. The Government is proud of what it has done with the Police Service, and proud of the great majority of people serving in it. The Government would act immediately if the ACC were to recommend the establishment of a royal commission. Mr Kobelke: You’re ducking the issue! You’re soft on corruption. You duck the issue every time! Mr COURT: Nothing could be further from the truth.
Mr COURT replied: This Parliament put in place a very powerful and well-resourced Anti-Corruption Commission. We have said as a Government that if the ACC or the Commissioner of Police were to recommend a royal commission, we would act immediately. We have implemented major changes in both the culture and operations within our Police Service, and we are proud of the professional way in which our police carry out their responsibilities. This Government has done, and will continue to do, everything in its power to ensure that corruption is exposed. This Government inherited a Police Service that was demoralised, underfunded and not in good shape, and it has changed that service into the most professional Police Service in this country. We have nearly doubled the Police budget, and last week I opened the twenty-seventh new police station in this State during the time of this Government. Also, more than $100m worth of new technology is being rolled out to support our Police Service. The Government is proud of what it has done with the Police Service, and proud of the great majority of people serving in it. The Government would act immediately if the ACC were to recommend the establishment of a royal commission. Mr Kobelke: You’re ducking the issue! You’re soft on corruption. You duck the issue every time! Mr COURT: Nothing could be further from the truth.
This Parliament put in place a very powerful and well-resourced Anti-Corruption Commission. We have said as a Government that if the ACC or the Commissioner of Police were to recommend a royal commission, we would act immediately. We have implemented major changes in both the culture and operations within our Police Service, and we are proud of the professional way in which our police carry out their responsibilities. This Government has done, and will continue to do, everything in its power to ensure that corruption is exposed. This Government inherited a Police Service that was demoralised, underfunded and not in good shape, and it has changed that service into the most professional Police Service in this country. We have nearly doubled the Police budget, and last week I opened the twenty-seventh new police station in this State during the time of this Government. Also, more than $100m worth of new technology is being rolled out to support our Police Service. The Government is proud of what it has done with the Police Service, and proud of the great majority of people serving in it. The Government would act immediately if the ACC were to recommend the establishment of a royal commission. Mr Kobelke: You’re ducking the issue! You’re soft on corruption. You duck the issue every time! Mr COURT: Nothing could be further from the truth.
Mr Kobelke: You’re ducking the issue! You’re soft on corruption. You duck the issue every time! Mr COURT: Nothing could be further from the truth.
Mr COURT: Nothing could be further from the truth.

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