Mr. Catania questions the Minister for Police about crime in Carnarvon and requests a specialist task force. The Minister defends the police force and accuses Mr. Catania of undermining the community and criticising local police.

AnsweredQoN 578Legislative Assembly
Asked
13 October 2021
Portfolio
Police

QuestionView source ↗

CRIME AND ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR — REGIONS
578. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Minister for Police:
I
have a supplementary question. When will the minister acknowledge the impact
that crime is having on the people of Carnarvon and establish a specialist
task force unit to deal with the out-of-control crime that is occurring?

AnswerView source ↗

The member and most other people
know that police operational matters are the responsibility of the Commissioner
of Police, and we have a wonderful police commissioner. He is confronting
greater challenges than probably any of his predecessors have had to in the
history of this state. In the midst of a global pandemic, he has been afforded
additional responsibilities and he is performing them exceptionally well. His
deputies are also doing an incredible job. As a result of the pandemic they are
confronting challenges that no-one before them has had to in those roles. They
are doing a wonderful job. The police officers on the ground are doing a fantastic
job, and the member should not talk down his community in the way he does.
Several members interjected.
Mr
P. PAPALIA : There are more police
in Carnarvon than when the member was in government, and there is now a wonderful
police and community youth centre as a consequence of this government's
investment. I understand that the member criticised —
Mr V.A. Catania : You
short-changed them $2 million.
The SPEAKER : Order, please,
member.
Mr
P. PAPALIA : Extraordinary. I understand
that the member directly criticised the PCYC operator there, who is the wife of one of the police officers in
Carnarvon. I understand that the member does not like the police in Carnarvon ,
and that is a measure of the calibre of the person who holds the seat. It is
embarrassing and disappointing, and I feel for his constituents.

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