❓ Question regarding assaults on police officers, specifically seeking confirmation of recent incidents and advocating for mandatory sentencing. The Premier acknowledges the issue but avoids committing to a specific solution, preferring consultation.
AnsweredQoN 1Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
POLICE OFFICERS - ASSAULTS
I refer to the violent bashing of two police officers at the Meekatharra hotel last Saturday night. (1) Can the Premier confirm that this was the ninth assault of a police officer in this state in just three weeks? (2) Can the Premier confirm that Saturday night’s attack was the second time that Constable Christina Johnston has been bashed in just 18 months? (3) Can the Premier confirm that Constable Johnston’s previous attacker received only community service as a punishment? (4) Will the Premier now commit to introduce a 12-month minimum mandatory jail term for anyone who commits a serious assault on a police officer? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
I refer to the violent bashing of two police officers at the Meekatharra hotel last Saturday night. (1) Can the Premier confirm that this was the ninth assault of a police officer in this state in just three weeks? (2) Can the Premier confirm that Saturday night’s attack was the second time that Constable Christina Johnston has been bashed in just 18 months? (3) Can the Premier confirm that Constable Johnston’s previous attacker received only community service as a punishment? (4) Will the Premier now commit to introduce a 12-month minimum mandatory jail term for anyone who commits a serious assault on a police officer? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(4) I thank the member for Kalgoorlie and Leader of the Opposition for the question. No-one in Western Australia, no-one in politics and no-one in public life would feel anything but the utmost condemnation for the actions that took place in Meekatharra last Saturday night. It is completely inexcusable for people to assault members of the WA Police who are going about their duty, which is to maintain public order and protect members of the public. There is no excuse for that sort of behaviour. I agree with the Leader of the Opposition that this sort of behaviour is occurring far too frequently. I am not aware of whether this is the ninth time that a police officer has been assaulted in Western Australia, but I do not doubt that it may well be the ninth time, nor do I doubt that it may well be the second time that Constable Johnston has been assaulted. In response to this matter, the Commissioner of Police has made some public comments and suggestions. The Minister for Police will meet with the police commissioner this week - tomorrow, I think - to assess those suggestions. It is possible that we will come up with an even more rigorous proposal than the one that has been suggested by the Leader of the Opposition. It may be that another sentencing option is preferable to a mandatory prison sentence for anyone who seriously assaults a police officer. Let us have the consultation between the minister and the Commissioner of Police before we leap to judgment. The last thing we want to do in responding to these circumstances is find out later that we could have done an even better job. The proposition of the Leader of the Opposition is that, at some stage in the past, the government might have made a different decision and come up with a better result. Let us not repeat that mistake. The Commissioner of Police and the Minister for Police and Emergency Services will meet tomorrow, and subsequent to that meeting will come forward with some suggestions for addressing this issue.
(1) Can the Premier confirm that this was the ninth assault of a police officer in this state in just three weeks? (2) Can the Premier confirm that Saturday night’s attack was the second time that Constable Christina Johnston has been bashed in just 18 months? (3) Can the Premier confirm that Constable Johnston’s previous attacker received only community service as a punishment? (4) Will the Premier now commit to introduce a 12-month minimum mandatory jail term for anyone who commits a serious assault on a police officer? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Kalgoorlie and Leader of the Opposition for the question. No-one in Western Australia, no-one in politics and no-one in public life would feel anything but the utmost condemnation for the actions that took place in Meekatharra last Saturday night. It is completely inexcusable for people to assault members of the WA Police who are going about their duty, which is to maintain public order and protect members of the public. There is no excuse for that sort of behaviour. I agree with the Leader of the Opposition that this sort of behaviour is occurring far too frequently. I am not aware of whether this is the ninth time that a police officer has been assaulted in Western Australia, but I do not doubt that it may well be the ninth time, nor do I doubt that it may well be the second time that Constable Johnston has been assaulted. In response to this matter, the Commissioner of Police has made some public comments and suggestions. The Minister for Police will meet with the police commissioner this week - tomorrow, I think - to assess those suggestions. It is possible that we will come up with an even more rigorous proposal than the one that has been suggested by the Leader of the Opposition. It may be that another sentencing option is preferable to a mandatory prison sentence for anyone who seriously assaults a police officer. Let us have the consultation between the minister and the Commissioner of Police before we leap to judgment. The last thing we want to do in responding to these circumstances is find out later that we could have done an even better job. The proposition of the Leader of the Opposition is that, at some stage in the past, the government might have made a different decision and come up with a better result. Let us not repeat that mistake. The Commissioner of Police and the Minister for Police and Emergency Services will meet tomorrow, and subsequent to that meeting will come forward with some suggestions for addressing this issue.
(2) Can the Premier confirm that Saturday night’s attack was the second time that Constable Christina Johnston has been bashed in just 18 months? (3) Can the Premier confirm that Constable Johnston’s previous attacker received only community service as a punishment? (4) Will the Premier now commit to introduce a 12-month minimum mandatory jail term for anyone who commits a serious assault on a police officer? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Kalgoorlie and Leader of the Opposition for the question. No-one in Western Australia, no-one in politics and no-one in public life would feel anything but the utmost condemnation for the actions that took place in Meekatharra last Saturday night. It is completely inexcusable for people to assault members of the WA Police who are going about their duty, which is to maintain public order and protect members of the public. There is no excuse for that sort of behaviour. I agree with the Leader of the Opposition that this sort of behaviour is occurring far too frequently. I am not aware of whether this is the ninth time that a police officer has been assaulted in Western Australia, but I do not doubt that it may well be the ninth time, nor do I doubt that it may well be the second time that Constable Johnston has been assaulted. In response to this matter, the Commissioner of Police has made some public comments and suggestions. The Minister for Police will meet with the police commissioner this week - tomorrow, I think - to assess those suggestions. It is possible that we will come up with an even more rigorous proposal than the one that has been suggested by the Leader of the Opposition. It may be that another sentencing option is preferable to a mandatory prison sentence for anyone who seriously assaults a police officer. Let us have the consultation between the minister and the Commissioner of Police before we leap to judgment. The last thing we want to do in responding to these circumstances is find out later that we could have done an even better job. The proposition of the Leader of the Opposition is that, at some stage in the past, the government might have made a different decision and come up with a better result. Let us not repeat that mistake. The Commissioner of Police and the Minister for Police and Emergency Services will meet tomorrow, and subsequent to that meeting will come forward with some suggestions for addressing this issue.
(3) Can the Premier confirm that Constable Johnston’s previous attacker received only community service as a punishment? (4) Will the Premier now commit to introduce a 12-month minimum mandatory jail term for anyone who commits a serious assault on a police officer? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Kalgoorlie and Leader of the Opposition for the question. No-one in Western Australia, no-one in politics and no-one in public life would feel anything but the utmost condemnation for the actions that took place in Meekatharra last Saturday night. It is completely inexcusable for people to assault members of the WA Police who are going about their duty, which is to maintain public order and protect members of the public. There is no excuse for that sort of behaviour. I agree with the Leader of the Opposition that this sort of behaviour is occurring far too frequently. I am not aware of whether this is the ninth time that a police officer has been assaulted in Western Australia, but I do not doubt that it may well be the ninth time, nor do I doubt that it may well be the second time that Constable Johnston has been assaulted. In response to this matter, the Commissioner of Police has made some public comments and suggestions. The Minister for Police will meet with the police commissioner this week - tomorrow, I think - to assess those suggestions. It is possible that we will come up with an even more rigorous proposal than the one that has been suggested by the Leader of the Opposition. It may be that another sentencing option is preferable to a mandatory prison sentence for anyone who seriously assaults a police officer. Let us have the consultation between the minister and the Commissioner of Police before we leap to judgment. The last thing we want to do in responding to these circumstances is find out later that we could have done an even better job. The proposition of the Leader of the Opposition is that, at some stage in the past, the government might have made a different decision and come up with a better result. Let us not repeat that mistake. The Commissioner of Police and the Minister for Police and Emergency Services will meet tomorrow, and subsequent to that meeting will come forward with some suggestions for addressing this issue.
(4) Will the Premier now commit to introduce a 12-month minimum mandatory jail term for anyone who commits a serious assault on a police officer? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Kalgoorlie and Leader of the Opposition for the question. No-one in Western Australia, no-one in politics and no-one in public life would feel anything but the utmost condemnation for the actions that took place in Meekatharra last Saturday night. It is completely inexcusable for people to assault members of the WA Police who are going about their duty, which is to maintain public order and protect members of the public. There is no excuse for that sort of behaviour. I agree with the Leader of the Opposition that this sort of behaviour is occurring far too frequently. I am not aware of whether this is the ninth time that a police officer has been assaulted in Western Australia, but I do not doubt that it may well be the ninth time, nor do I doubt that it may well be the second time that Constable Johnston has been assaulted. In response to this matter, the Commissioner of Police has made some public comments and suggestions. The Minister for Police will meet with the police commissioner this week - tomorrow, I think - to assess those suggestions. It is possible that we will come up with an even more rigorous proposal than the one that has been suggested by the Leader of the Opposition. It may be that another sentencing option is preferable to a mandatory prison sentence for anyone who seriously assaults a police officer. Let us have the consultation between the minister and the Commissioner of Police before we leap to judgment. The last thing we want to do in responding to these circumstances is find out later that we could have done an even better job. The proposition of the Leader of the Opposition is that, at some stage in the past, the government might have made a different decision and come up with a better result. Let us not repeat that mistake. The Commissioner of Police and the Minister for Police and Emergency Services will meet tomorrow, and subsequent to that meeting will come forward with some suggestions for addressing this issue.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Kalgoorlie and Leader of the Opposition for the question. No-one in Western Australia, no-one in politics and no-one in public life would feel anything but the utmost condemnation for the actions that took place in Meekatharra last Saturday night. It is completely inexcusable for people to assault members of the WA Police who are going about their duty, which is to maintain public order and protect members of the public. There is no excuse for that sort of behaviour. I agree with the Leader of the Opposition that this sort of behaviour is occurring far too frequently. I am not aware of whether this is the ninth time that a police officer has been assaulted in Western Australia, but I do not doubt that it may well be the ninth time, nor do I doubt that it may well be the second time that Constable Johnston has been assaulted. In response to this matter, the Commissioner of Police has made some public comments and suggestions. The Minister for Police will meet with the police commissioner this week - tomorrow, I think - to assess those suggestions. It is possible that we will come up with an even more rigorous proposal than the one that has been suggested by the Leader of the Opposition. It may be that another sentencing option is preferable to a mandatory prison sentence for anyone who seriously assaults a police officer. Let us have the consultation between the minister and the Commissioner of Police before we leap to judgment. The last thing we want to do in responding to these circumstances is find out later that we could have done an even better job. The proposition of the Leader of the Opposition is that, at some stage in the past, the government might have made a different decision and come up with a better result. Let us not repeat that mistake. The Commissioner of Police and the Minister for Police and Emergency Services will meet tomorrow, and subsequent to that meeting will come forward with some suggestions for addressing this issue.
(1)-(4) I thank the member for Kalgoorlie and Leader of the Opposition for the question. No-one in Western Australia, no-one in politics and no-one in public life would feel anything but the utmost condemnation for the actions that took place in Meekatharra last Saturday night. It is completely inexcusable for people to assault members of the WA Police who are going about their duty, which is to maintain public order and protect members of the public. There is no excuse for that sort of behaviour. I agree with the Leader of the Opposition that this sort of behaviour is occurring far too frequently. I am not aware of whether this is the ninth time that a police officer has been assaulted in Western Australia, but I do not doubt that it may well be the ninth time, nor do I doubt that it may well be the second time that Constable Johnston has been assaulted. In response to this matter, the Commissioner of Police has made some public comments and suggestions. The Minister for Police will meet with the police commissioner this week - tomorrow, I think - to assess those suggestions. It is possible that we will come up with an even more rigorous proposal than the one that has been suggested by the Leader of the Opposition. It may be that another sentencing option is preferable to a mandatory prison sentence for anyone who seriously assaults a police officer. Let us have the consultation between the minister and the Commissioner of Police before we leap to judgment. The last thing we want to do in responding to these circumstances is find out later that we could have done an even better job. The proposition of the Leader of the Opposition is that, at some stage in the past, the government might have made a different decision and come up with a better result. Let us not repeat that mistake. The Commissioner of Police and the Minister for Police and Emergency Services will meet tomorrow, and subsequent to that meeting will come forward with some suggestions for addressing this issue.
(1) Can the Premier confirm that this was the ninth assault of a police officer in this state in just three weeks? (2) Can the Premier confirm that Saturday night’s attack was the second time that Constable Christina Johnston has been bashed in just 18 months? (3) Can the Premier confirm that Constable Johnston’s previous attacker received only community service as a punishment? (4) Will the Premier now commit to introduce a 12-month minimum mandatory jail term for anyone who commits a serious assault on a police officer? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Kalgoorlie and Leader of the Opposition for the question. No-one in Western Australia, no-one in politics and no-one in public life would feel anything but the utmost condemnation for the actions that took place in Meekatharra last Saturday night. It is completely inexcusable for people to assault members of the WA Police who are going about their duty, which is to maintain public order and protect members of the public. There is no excuse for that sort of behaviour. I agree with the Leader of the Opposition that this sort of behaviour is occurring far too frequently. I am not aware of whether this is the ninth time that a police officer has been assaulted in Western Australia, but I do not doubt that it may well be the ninth time, nor do I doubt that it may well be the second time that Constable Johnston has been assaulted. In response to this matter, the Commissioner of Police has made some public comments and suggestions. The Minister for Police will meet with the police commissioner this week - tomorrow, I think - to assess those suggestions. It is possible that we will come up with an even more rigorous proposal than the one that has been suggested by the Leader of the Opposition. It may be that another sentencing option is preferable to a mandatory prison sentence for anyone who seriously assaults a police officer. Let us have the consultation between the minister and the Commissioner of Police before we leap to judgment. The last thing we want to do in responding to these circumstances is find out later that we could have done an even better job. The proposition of the Leader of the Opposition is that, at some stage in the past, the government might have made a different decision and come up with a better result. Let us not repeat that mistake. The Commissioner of Police and the Minister for Police and Emergency Services will meet tomorrow, and subsequent to that meeting will come forward with some suggestions for addressing this issue.
(2) Can the Premier confirm that Saturday night’s attack was the second time that Constable Christina Johnston has been bashed in just 18 months? (3) Can the Premier confirm that Constable Johnston’s previous attacker received only community service as a punishment? (4) Will the Premier now commit to introduce a 12-month minimum mandatory jail term for anyone who commits a serious assault on a police officer? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Kalgoorlie and Leader of the Opposition for the question. No-one in Western Australia, no-one in politics and no-one in public life would feel anything but the utmost condemnation for the actions that took place in Meekatharra last Saturday night. It is completely inexcusable for people to assault members of the WA Police who are going about their duty, which is to maintain public order and protect members of the public. There is no excuse for that sort of behaviour. I agree with the Leader of the Opposition that this sort of behaviour is occurring far too frequently. I am not aware of whether this is the ninth time that a police officer has been assaulted in Western Australia, but I do not doubt that it may well be the ninth time, nor do I doubt that it may well be the second time that Constable Johnston has been assaulted. In response to this matter, the Commissioner of Police has made some public comments and suggestions. The Minister for Police will meet with the police commissioner this week - tomorrow, I think - to assess those suggestions. It is possible that we will come up with an even more rigorous proposal than the one that has been suggested by the Leader of the Opposition. It may be that another sentencing option is preferable to a mandatory prison sentence for anyone who seriously assaults a police officer. Let us have the consultation between the minister and the Commissioner of Police before we leap to judgment. The last thing we want to do in responding to these circumstances is find out later that we could have done an even better job. The proposition of the Leader of the Opposition is that, at some stage in the past, the government might have made a different decision and come up with a better result. Let us not repeat that mistake. The Commissioner of Police and the Minister for Police and Emergency Services will meet tomorrow, and subsequent to that meeting will come forward with some suggestions for addressing this issue.
(3) Can the Premier confirm that Constable Johnston’s previous attacker received only community service as a punishment? (4) Will the Premier now commit to introduce a 12-month minimum mandatory jail term for anyone who commits a serious assault on a police officer? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Kalgoorlie and Leader of the Opposition for the question. No-one in Western Australia, no-one in politics and no-one in public life would feel anything but the utmost condemnation for the actions that took place in Meekatharra last Saturday night. It is completely inexcusable for people to assault members of the WA Police who are going about their duty, which is to maintain public order and protect members of the public. There is no excuse for that sort of behaviour. I agree with the Leader of the Opposition that this sort of behaviour is occurring far too frequently. I am not aware of whether this is the ninth time that a police officer has been assaulted in Western Australia, but I do not doubt that it may well be the ninth time, nor do I doubt that it may well be the second time that Constable Johnston has been assaulted. In response to this matter, the Commissioner of Police has made some public comments and suggestions. The Minister for Police will meet with the police commissioner this week - tomorrow, I think - to assess those suggestions. It is possible that we will come up with an even more rigorous proposal than the one that has been suggested by the Leader of the Opposition. It may be that another sentencing option is preferable to a mandatory prison sentence for anyone who seriously assaults a police officer. Let us have the consultation between the minister and the Commissioner of Police before we leap to judgment. The last thing we want to do in responding to these circumstances is find out later that we could have done an even better job. The proposition of the Leader of the Opposition is that, at some stage in the past, the government might have made a different decision and come up with a better result. Let us not repeat that mistake. The Commissioner of Police and the Minister for Police and Emergency Services will meet tomorrow, and subsequent to that meeting will come forward with some suggestions for addressing this issue.
(4) Will the Premier now commit to introduce a 12-month minimum mandatory jail term for anyone who commits a serious assault on a police officer? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Kalgoorlie and Leader of the Opposition for the question. No-one in Western Australia, no-one in politics and no-one in public life would feel anything but the utmost condemnation for the actions that took place in Meekatharra last Saturday night. It is completely inexcusable for people to assault members of the WA Police who are going about their duty, which is to maintain public order and protect members of the public. There is no excuse for that sort of behaviour. I agree with the Leader of the Opposition that this sort of behaviour is occurring far too frequently. I am not aware of whether this is the ninth time that a police officer has been assaulted in Western Australia, but I do not doubt that it may well be the ninth time, nor do I doubt that it may well be the second time that Constable Johnston has been assaulted. In response to this matter, the Commissioner of Police has made some public comments and suggestions. The Minister for Police will meet with the police commissioner this week - tomorrow, I think - to assess those suggestions. It is possible that we will come up with an even more rigorous proposal than the one that has been suggested by the Leader of the Opposition. It may be that another sentencing option is preferable to a mandatory prison sentence for anyone who seriously assaults a police officer. Let us have the consultation between the minister and the Commissioner of Police before we leap to judgment. The last thing we want to do in responding to these circumstances is find out later that we could have done an even better job. The proposition of the Leader of the Opposition is that, at some stage in the past, the government might have made a different decision and come up with a better result. Let us not repeat that mistake. The Commissioner of Police and the Minister for Police and Emergency Services will meet tomorrow, and subsequent to that meeting will come forward with some suggestions for addressing this issue.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Kalgoorlie and Leader of the Opposition for the question. No-one in Western Australia, no-one in politics and no-one in public life would feel anything but the utmost condemnation for the actions that took place in Meekatharra last Saturday night. It is completely inexcusable for people to assault members of the WA Police who are going about their duty, which is to maintain public order and protect members of the public. There is no excuse for that sort of behaviour. I agree with the Leader of the Opposition that this sort of behaviour is occurring far too frequently. I am not aware of whether this is the ninth time that a police officer has been assaulted in Western Australia, but I do not doubt that it may well be the ninth time, nor do I doubt that it may well be the second time that Constable Johnston has been assaulted. In response to this matter, the Commissioner of Police has made some public comments and suggestions. The Minister for Police will meet with the police commissioner this week - tomorrow, I think - to assess those suggestions. It is possible that we will come up with an even more rigorous proposal than the one that has been suggested by the Leader of the Opposition. It may be that another sentencing option is preferable to a mandatory prison sentence for anyone who seriously assaults a police officer. Let us have the consultation between the minister and the Commissioner of Police before we leap to judgment. The last thing we want to do in responding to these circumstances is find out later that we could have done an even better job. The proposition of the Leader of the Opposition is that, at some stage in the past, the government might have made a different decision and come up with a better result. Let us not repeat that mistake. The Commissioner of Police and the Minister for Police and Emergency Services will meet tomorrow, and subsequent to that meeting will come forward with some suggestions for addressing this issue.
(1)-(4) I thank the member for Kalgoorlie and Leader of the Opposition for the question. No-one in Western Australia, no-one in politics and no-one in public life would feel anything but the utmost condemnation for the actions that took place in Meekatharra last Saturday night. It is completely inexcusable for people to assault members of the WA Police who are going about their duty, which is to maintain public order and protect members of the public. There is no excuse for that sort of behaviour. I agree with the Leader of the Opposition that this sort of behaviour is occurring far too frequently. I am not aware of whether this is the ninth time that a police officer has been assaulted in Western Australia, but I do not doubt that it may well be the ninth time, nor do I doubt that it may well be the second time that Constable Johnston has been assaulted. In response to this matter, the Commissioner of Police has made some public comments and suggestions. The Minister for Police will meet with the police commissioner this week - tomorrow, I think - to assess those suggestions. It is possible that we will come up with an even more rigorous proposal than the one that has been suggested by the Leader of the Opposition. It may be that another sentencing option is preferable to a mandatory prison sentence for anyone who seriously assaults a police officer. Let us have the consultation between the minister and the Commissioner of Police before we leap to judgment. The last thing we want to do in responding to these circumstances is find out later that we could have done an even better job. The proposition of the Leader of the Opposition is that, at some stage in the past, the government might have made a different decision and come up with a better result. Let us not repeat that mistake. The Commissioner of Police and the Minister for Police and Emergency Services will meet tomorrow, and subsequent to that meeting will come forward with some suggestions for addressing this issue.
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