❓ Ms. Davies questions the Minister for Police regarding crime in Carnarvon, referencing claims of a 'war zone' and contrasting them with the Minister's previous statements. The Minister defends the police and criticises the previous member's divisive behaviour.
AnsweredQoN 450Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CRIME AND ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR — CARNARVON
450. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the Minister for Police:
I refer to a letter addressed to the
Premier from the president of the Shire of Carnarvon, Eddie Smith, in which he
describes the community he loves as a war zone. I also refer the minister to
his claim in question time on 21 June ''that there is not a series of
reports of children wandering the streets and reports of truancy on a daily
basis and that there is not a crime wave'' in Carnarvon.
(1) Does the minister stand by this
assertion?
(2) How does the
minister respond to the shire president's suggestion that the lack of accountability
for the crime problem has left his community absolutely broken?
450. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the Minister for Police:
I refer to a letter addressed to the
Premier from the president of the Shire of Carnarvon, Eddie Smith, in which he
describes the community he loves as a war zone. I also refer the minister to
his claim in question time on 21 June ''that there is not a series of
reports of children wandering the streets and reports of truancy on a daily
basis and that there is not a crime wave'' in Carnarvon.
(1) Does the minister stand by this
assertion?
(2) How does the
minister respond to the shire president's suggestion that the lack of accountability
for the crime problem has left his community absolutely broken?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
thank the member for her question. I love Eddie; I think he is wonderful. He is
a great representative of the people of Carnarvon. But one thing I would say is
that he has never been to a war zone, if that is what he is claiming. That is
the answer I give to that particular statement.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Leader of the Opposition, you have had the opportunity to ask your question. I would
also counsel other people who are interjecting to let the minister answer.
Mr
P. PAPALIA : I am trying to give
the member an answer. It is an observation that I make quite reasonably. I saw Eddie with his CEO in my office on 5 May. He came to see me. I guarantee
the member one thing he said to me with respect to any issues in Carnarvon;
that is, the police are doing a wonderful job and there is no concern. I am the
police minister. The Leader of the Opposition just asked me a question about my
portfolio, and I am assuming that is something to do with policing in
Carnarvon. I have no doubt that Eddie would not mind me conveying this part of
the conversation we had because his observation was that the police are doing a
wonderful job. I am the police minister.
With respect to issues around juvenile crime, I stand by what
I said before. Obviously, people are concerned. There is a by-election on. A
lot of people are running around, as has been the case for a couple of years
now, unfortunately because of the prior member for that particular area, in
many cases, as I said on a number of occasions last year, almost encouraging
vigilantism, encouraging racist behaviour, and encouraging the community to
split and be divisive in their behaviour. That is what happened last year under
the previous member. I urge you not to go down that path; take the opportunity
for a fresh start in the absence of the former member, who was pretty
disgraceful at times last year with regard to this community. Think about what
you say and think about the impact on people in the community when you
encourage this sort of divisive language.
thank the member for her question. I love Eddie; I think he is wonderful. He is
a great representative of the people of Carnarvon. But one thing I would say is
that he has never been to a war zone, if that is what he is claiming. That is
the answer I give to that particular statement.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Leader of the Opposition, you have had the opportunity to ask your question. I would
also counsel other people who are interjecting to let the minister answer.
Mr
P. PAPALIA : I am trying to give
the member an answer. It is an observation that I make quite reasonably. I saw Eddie with his CEO in my office on 5 May. He came to see me. I guarantee
the member one thing he said to me with respect to any issues in Carnarvon;
that is, the police are doing a wonderful job and there is no concern. I am the
police minister. The Leader of the Opposition just asked me a question about my
portfolio, and I am assuming that is something to do with policing in
Carnarvon. I have no doubt that Eddie would not mind me conveying this part of
the conversation we had because his observation was that the police are doing a
wonderful job. I am the police minister.
With respect to issues around juvenile crime, I stand by what
I said before. Obviously, people are concerned. There is a by-election on. A
lot of people are running around, as has been the case for a couple of years
now, unfortunately because of the prior member for that particular area, in
many cases, as I said on a number of occasions last year, almost encouraging
vigilantism, encouraging racist behaviour, and encouraging the community to
split and be divisive in their behaviour. That is what happened last year under
the previous member. I urge you not to go down that path; take the opportunity
for a fresh start in the absence of the former member, who was pretty
disgraceful at times last year with regard to this community. Think about what
you say and think about the impact on people in the community when you
encourage this sort of divisive language.
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