❓ The Premier avoids directly answering questions about the Northbridge curfew's resource requirements, instead attacking the Leader of the Opposition's capabilities and highlighting the government's broader social initiatives.
AnsweredQoN 775Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the comments by the Premier, reported in the Sunday Times of 8 June, to the effect that his proposed Northbridge curfew will require not additional funds but “creative service delivery”. (1) Does the Premier agree with the President of the Police Union (WA) that it will be impossible to impose a curfew without employing an additional 200 police officers? (2) Given the Premier’s announcement that Department for Community Development officers will also be involved in imposing the curfew, will the Premier inform the House how many additional officers will be required by that department? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition is incapable of dealing with the serious issues we face in Western Australia. He is incapable of dealing with the serious issue in Northbridge, the bad behaviour that occurs there, and the risk to youngsters. I saw examples of that risk first-hand late on Friday night and early Saturday morning. The Opposition is incapable of addressing the issues. I disagree fundamentally with the President of the Police Union. I find it strange that he would comment on the matter before the full details of the policy are released. He seems to know what the implications of the policy will be before the Government has announced the details. I disagree with him. The Government will work within the existing laws of Western Australia. All members know that under the Child Welfare Act, young children should not be on the streets unsupervised late at night. Those children are at risk. Not only are they at risk themselves, but also they are creating problems for the rest of the community. The Government will work with the Noongar Patrol - which is doing excellent work - Mission Australia and other agencies to bring about solutions to the issue. Secondly, I draw the attention of Leader of the Opposition to the work that this Government has done to reduce child sexual abuse, homelessness and family violence; it set up the Gordon inquiry, as opposed to the Liberal and the National Parties which swept the matter under the carpet. The Gordon inquiry made a range of recommendations, the vast bulk of which the Government has accepted. The Government is spending $75 million to back up that program. It will be used for a range of creative service delivery initiatives to deal with the problem in not only Northbridge, but also Kalumburu - where last week I announced that additional police officers will be appointed - and throughout Western Australia. This Government has provided the resources to deal with this issue in its response to the Gordon inquiry and to homelessness. This Government has the ability to address these issues. Why is it that members on this side of the House have the ability to address these issues and members on the opposite side do not? There is one simple difference; that is, we are Labor politicians and we are therefore capable of dealing with these issues. I disagree with the president of the Police Union and ask him to wait until he sees the details of the plan before jumping to conclusions. This Government will use the existing law to deal with this issue. It is also important to note - before people talk about the lack of funds in this area in Western Australia - that this Government has already put funds into the homelessness strategy and its response to the Gordon inquiry. I am pleased to be the head of a Government that takes child sex abuse, family violence, homelessness and all the risks and problems associated with those issues seriously. They are not issues that can be swept under the carpet. They must be addressed. We have seen a pathetic performance from the Liberal Party in the past few weeks on a fundamental issue that this State had to address, and the electors will take that into account when they make their judgment at the next election.
(1) Does the Premier agree with the President of the Police Union (WA) that it will be impossible to impose a curfew without employing an additional 200 police officers? (2) Given the Premier’s announcement that Department for Community Development officers will also be involved in imposing the curfew, will the Premier inform the House how many additional officers will be required by that department? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition is incapable of dealing with the serious issues we face in Western Australia. He is incapable of dealing with the serious issue in Northbridge, the bad behaviour that occurs there, and the risk to youngsters. I saw examples of that risk first-hand late on Friday night and early Saturday morning. The Opposition is incapable of addressing the issues. I disagree fundamentally with the President of the Police Union. I find it strange that he would comment on the matter before the full details of the policy are released. He seems to know what the implications of the policy will be before the Government has announced the details. I disagree with him. The Government will work within the existing laws of Western Australia. All members know that under the Child Welfare Act, young children should not be on the streets unsupervised late at night. Those children are at risk. Not only are they at risk themselves, but also they are creating problems for the rest of the community. The Government will work with the Noongar Patrol - which is doing excellent work - Mission Australia and other agencies to bring about solutions to the issue. Secondly, I draw the attention of Leader of the Opposition to the work that this Government has done to reduce child sexual abuse, homelessness and family violence; it set up the Gordon inquiry, as opposed to the Liberal and the National Parties which swept the matter under the carpet. The Gordon inquiry made a range of recommendations, the vast bulk of which the Government has accepted. The Government is spending $75 million to back up that program. It will be used for a range of creative service delivery initiatives to deal with the problem in not only Northbridge, but also Kalumburu - where last week I announced that additional police officers will be appointed - and throughout Western Australia. This Government has provided the resources to deal with this issue in its response to the Gordon inquiry and to homelessness. This Government has the ability to address these issues. Why is it that members on this side of the House have the ability to address these issues and members on the opposite side do not? There is one simple difference; that is, we are Labor politicians and we are therefore capable of dealing with these issues. I disagree with the president of the Police Union and ask him to wait until he sees the details of the plan before jumping to conclusions. This Government will use the existing law to deal with this issue. It is also important to note - before people talk about the lack of funds in this area in Western Australia - that this Government has already put funds into the homelessness strategy and its response to the Gordon inquiry. I am pleased to be the head of a Government that takes child sex abuse, family violence, homelessness and all the risks and problems associated with those issues seriously. They are not issues that can be swept under the carpet. They must be addressed. We have seen a pathetic performance from the Liberal Party in the past few weeks on a fundamental issue that this State had to address, and the electors will take that into account when they make their judgment at the next election.
(2) Given the Premier’s announcement that Department for Community Development officers will also be involved in imposing the curfew, will the Premier inform the House how many additional officers will be required by that department? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition is incapable of dealing with the serious issues we face in Western Australia. He is incapable of dealing with the serious issue in Northbridge, the bad behaviour that occurs there, and the risk to youngsters. I saw examples of that risk first-hand late on Friday night and early Saturday morning. The Opposition is incapable of addressing the issues. I disagree fundamentally with the President of the Police Union. I find it strange that he would comment on the matter before the full details of the policy are released. He seems to know what the implications of the policy will be before the Government has announced the details. I disagree with him. The Government will work within the existing laws of Western Australia. All members know that under the Child Welfare Act, young children should not be on the streets unsupervised late at night. Those children are at risk. Not only are they at risk themselves, but also they are creating problems for the rest of the community. The Government will work with the Noongar Patrol - which is doing excellent work - Mission Australia and other agencies to bring about solutions to the issue. Secondly, I draw the attention of Leader of the Opposition to the work that this Government has done to reduce child sexual abuse, homelessness and family violence; it set up the Gordon inquiry, as opposed to the Liberal and the National Parties which swept the matter under the carpet. The Gordon inquiry made a range of recommendations, the vast bulk of which the Government has accepted. The Government is spending $75 million to back up that program. It will be used for a range of creative service delivery initiatives to deal with the problem in not only Northbridge, but also Kalumburu - where last week I announced that additional police officers will be appointed - and throughout Western Australia. This Government has provided the resources to deal with this issue in its response to the Gordon inquiry and to homelessness. This Government has the ability to address these issues. Why is it that members on this side of the House have the ability to address these issues and members on the opposite side do not? There is one simple difference; that is, we are Labor politicians and we are therefore capable of dealing with these issues. I disagree with the president of the Police Union and ask him to wait until he sees the details of the plan before jumping to conclusions. This Government will use the existing law to deal with this issue. It is also important to note - before people talk about the lack of funds in this area in Western Australia - that this Government has already put funds into the homelessness strategy and its response to the Gordon inquiry. I am pleased to be the head of a Government that takes child sex abuse, family violence, homelessness and all the risks and problems associated with those issues seriously. They are not issues that can be swept under the carpet. They must be addressed. We have seen a pathetic performance from the Liberal Party in the past few weeks on a fundamental issue that this State had to address, and the electors will take that into account when they make their judgment at the next election.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition is incapable of dealing with the serious issues we face in Western Australia. He is incapable of dealing with the serious issue in Northbridge, the bad behaviour that occurs there, and the risk to youngsters. I saw examples of that risk first-hand late on Friday night and early Saturday morning. The Opposition is incapable of addressing the issues. I disagree fundamentally with the President of the Police Union. I find it strange that he would comment on the matter before the full details of the policy are released. He seems to know what the implications of the policy will be before the Government has announced the details. I disagree with him. The Government will work within the existing laws of Western Australia. All members know that under the Child Welfare Act, young children should not be on the streets unsupervised late at night. Those children are at risk. Not only are they at risk themselves, but also they are creating problems for the rest of the community. The Government will work with the Noongar Patrol - which is doing excellent work - Mission Australia and other agencies to bring about solutions to the issue. Secondly, I draw the attention of Leader of the Opposition to the work that this Government has done to reduce child sexual abuse, homelessness and family violence; it set up the Gordon inquiry, as opposed to the Liberal and the National Parties which swept the matter under the carpet. The Gordon inquiry made a range of recommendations, the vast bulk of which the Government has accepted. The Government is spending $75 million to back up that program. It will be used for a range of creative service delivery initiatives to deal with the problem in not only Northbridge, but also Kalumburu - where last week I announced that additional police officers will be appointed - and throughout Western Australia. This Government has provided the resources to deal with this issue in its response to the Gordon inquiry and to homelessness. This Government has the ability to address these issues. Why is it that members on this side of the House have the ability to address these issues and members on the opposite side do not? There is one simple difference; that is, we are Labor politicians and we are therefore capable of dealing with these issues. I disagree with the president of the Police Union and ask him to wait until he sees the details of the plan before jumping to conclusions. This Government will use the existing law to deal with this issue. It is also important to note - before people talk about the lack of funds in this area in Western Australia - that this Government has already put funds into the homelessness strategy and its response to the Gordon inquiry. I am pleased to be the head of a Government that takes child sex abuse, family violence, homelessness and all the risks and problems associated with those issues seriously. They are not issues that can be swept under the carpet. They must be addressed. We have seen a pathetic performance from the Liberal Party in the past few weeks on a fundamental issue that this State had to address, and the electors will take that into account when they make their judgment at the next election.
(1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition is incapable of dealing with the serious issues we face in Western Australia. He is incapable of dealing with the serious issue in Northbridge, the bad behaviour that occurs there, and the risk to youngsters. I saw examples of that risk first-hand late on Friday night and early Saturday morning. The Opposition is incapable of addressing the issues. I disagree fundamentally with the President of the Police Union. I find it strange that he would comment on the matter before the full details of the policy are released. He seems to know what the implications of the policy will be before the Government has announced the details. I disagree with him. The Government will work within the existing laws of Western Australia. All members know that under the Child Welfare Act, young children should not be on the streets unsupervised late at night. Those children are at risk. Not only are they at risk themselves, but also they are creating problems for the rest of the community. The Government will work with the Noongar Patrol - which is doing excellent work - Mission Australia and other agencies to bring about solutions to the issue. Secondly, I draw the attention of Leader of the Opposition to the work that this Government has done to reduce child sexual abuse, homelessness and family violence; it set up the Gordon inquiry, as opposed to the Liberal and the National Parties which swept the matter under the carpet. The Gordon inquiry made a range of recommendations, the vast bulk of which the Government has accepted. The Government is spending $75 million to back up that program. It will be used for a range of creative service delivery initiatives to deal with the problem in not only Northbridge, but also Kalumburu - where last week I announced that additional police officers will be appointed - and throughout Western Australia. This Government has provided the resources to deal with this issue in its response to the Gordon inquiry and to homelessness. This Government has the ability to address these issues. Why is it that members on this side of the House have the ability to address these issues and members on the opposite side do not? There is one simple difference; that is, we are Labor politicians and we are therefore capable of dealing with these issues. I disagree with the president of the Police Union and ask him to wait until he sees the details of the plan before jumping to conclusions. This Government will use the existing law to deal with this issue. It is also important to note - before people talk about the lack of funds in this area in Western Australia - that this Government has already put funds into the homelessness strategy and its response to the Gordon inquiry. I am pleased to be the head of a Government that takes child sex abuse, family violence, homelessness and all the risks and problems associated with those issues seriously. They are not issues that can be swept under the carpet. They must be addressed. We have seen a pathetic performance from the Liberal Party in the past few weeks on a fundamental issue that this State had to address, and the electors will take that into account when they make their judgment at the next election.
I disagree with the president of the Police Union and ask him to wait until he sees the details of the plan before jumping to conclusions. This Government will use the existing law to deal with this issue. It is also important to note - before people talk about the lack of funds in this area in Western Australia - that this Government has already put funds into the homelessness strategy and its response to the Gordon inquiry. I am pleased to be the head of a Government that takes child sex abuse, family violence, homelessness and all the risks and problems associated with those issues seriously. They are not issues that can be swept under the carpet. They must be addressed. We have seen a pathetic performance from the Liberal Party in the past few weeks on a fundamental issue that this State had to address, and the electors will take that into account when they make their judgment at the next election.
I am pleased to be the head of a Government that takes child sex abuse, family violence, homelessness and all the risks and problems associated with those issues seriously. They are not issues that can be swept under the carpet. They must be addressed. We have seen a pathetic performance from the Liberal Party in the past few weeks on a fundamental issue that this State had to address, and the electors will take that into account when they make their judgment at the next election.
(1) Does the Premier agree with the President of the Police Union (WA) that it will be impossible to impose a curfew without employing an additional 200 police officers? (2) Given the Premier’s announcement that Department for Community Development officers will also be involved in imposing the curfew, will the Premier inform the House how many additional officers will be required by that department? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition is incapable of dealing with the serious issues we face in Western Australia. He is incapable of dealing with the serious issue in Northbridge, the bad behaviour that occurs there, and the risk to youngsters. I saw examples of that risk first-hand late on Friday night and early Saturday morning. The Opposition is incapable of addressing the issues. I disagree fundamentally with the President of the Police Union. I find it strange that he would comment on the matter before the full details of the policy are released. He seems to know what the implications of the policy will be before the Government has announced the details. I disagree with him. The Government will work within the existing laws of Western Australia. All members know that under the Child Welfare Act, young children should not be on the streets unsupervised late at night. Those children are at risk. Not only are they at risk themselves, but also they are creating problems for the rest of the community. The Government will work with the Noongar Patrol - which is doing excellent work - Mission Australia and other agencies to bring about solutions to the issue. Secondly, I draw the attention of Leader of the Opposition to the work that this Government has done to reduce child sexual abuse, homelessness and family violence; it set up the Gordon inquiry, as opposed to the Liberal and the National Parties which swept the matter under the carpet. The Gordon inquiry made a range of recommendations, the vast bulk of which the Government has accepted. The Government is spending $75 million to back up that program. It will be used for a range of creative service delivery initiatives to deal with the problem in not only Northbridge, but also Kalumburu - where last week I announced that additional police officers will be appointed - and throughout Western Australia. This Government has provided the resources to deal with this issue in its response to the Gordon inquiry and to homelessness. This Government has the ability to address these issues. Why is it that members on this side of the House have the ability to address these issues and members on the opposite side do not? There is one simple difference; that is, we are Labor politicians and we are therefore capable of dealing with these issues. I disagree with the president of the Police Union and ask him to wait until he sees the details of the plan before jumping to conclusions. This Government will use the existing law to deal with this issue. It is also important to note - before people talk about the lack of funds in this area in Western Australia - that this Government has already put funds into the homelessness strategy and its response to the Gordon inquiry. I am pleased to be the head of a Government that takes child sex abuse, family violence, homelessness and all the risks and problems associated with those issues seriously. They are not issues that can be swept under the carpet. They must be addressed. We have seen a pathetic performance from the Liberal Party in the past few weeks on a fundamental issue that this State had to address, and the electors will take that into account when they make their judgment at the next election.
(2) Given the Premier’s announcement that Department for Community Development officers will also be involved in imposing the curfew, will the Premier inform the House how many additional officers will be required by that department? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition is incapable of dealing with the serious issues we face in Western Australia. He is incapable of dealing with the serious issue in Northbridge, the bad behaviour that occurs there, and the risk to youngsters. I saw examples of that risk first-hand late on Friday night and early Saturday morning. The Opposition is incapable of addressing the issues. I disagree fundamentally with the President of the Police Union. I find it strange that he would comment on the matter before the full details of the policy are released. He seems to know what the implications of the policy will be before the Government has announced the details. I disagree with him. The Government will work within the existing laws of Western Australia. All members know that under the Child Welfare Act, young children should not be on the streets unsupervised late at night. Those children are at risk. Not only are they at risk themselves, but also they are creating problems for the rest of the community. The Government will work with the Noongar Patrol - which is doing excellent work - Mission Australia and other agencies to bring about solutions to the issue. Secondly, I draw the attention of Leader of the Opposition to the work that this Government has done to reduce child sexual abuse, homelessness and family violence; it set up the Gordon inquiry, as opposed to the Liberal and the National Parties which swept the matter under the carpet. The Gordon inquiry made a range of recommendations, the vast bulk of which the Government has accepted. The Government is spending $75 million to back up that program. It will be used for a range of creative service delivery initiatives to deal with the problem in not only Northbridge, but also Kalumburu - where last week I announced that additional police officers will be appointed - and throughout Western Australia. This Government has provided the resources to deal with this issue in its response to the Gordon inquiry and to homelessness. This Government has the ability to address these issues. Why is it that members on this side of the House have the ability to address these issues and members on the opposite side do not? There is one simple difference; that is, we are Labor politicians and we are therefore capable of dealing with these issues. I disagree with the president of the Police Union and ask him to wait until he sees the details of the plan before jumping to conclusions. This Government will use the existing law to deal with this issue. It is also important to note - before people talk about the lack of funds in this area in Western Australia - that this Government has already put funds into the homelessness strategy and its response to the Gordon inquiry. I am pleased to be the head of a Government that takes child sex abuse, family violence, homelessness and all the risks and problems associated with those issues seriously. They are not issues that can be swept under the carpet. They must be addressed. We have seen a pathetic performance from the Liberal Party in the past few weeks on a fundamental issue that this State had to address, and the electors will take that into account when they make their judgment at the next election.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition is incapable of dealing with the serious issues we face in Western Australia. He is incapable of dealing with the serious issue in Northbridge, the bad behaviour that occurs there, and the risk to youngsters. I saw examples of that risk first-hand late on Friday night and early Saturday morning. The Opposition is incapable of addressing the issues. I disagree fundamentally with the President of the Police Union. I find it strange that he would comment on the matter before the full details of the policy are released. He seems to know what the implications of the policy will be before the Government has announced the details. I disagree with him. The Government will work within the existing laws of Western Australia. All members know that under the Child Welfare Act, young children should not be on the streets unsupervised late at night. Those children are at risk. Not only are they at risk themselves, but also they are creating problems for the rest of the community. The Government will work with the Noongar Patrol - which is doing excellent work - Mission Australia and other agencies to bring about solutions to the issue. Secondly, I draw the attention of Leader of the Opposition to the work that this Government has done to reduce child sexual abuse, homelessness and family violence; it set up the Gordon inquiry, as opposed to the Liberal and the National Parties which swept the matter under the carpet. The Gordon inquiry made a range of recommendations, the vast bulk of which the Government has accepted. The Government is spending $75 million to back up that program. It will be used for a range of creative service delivery initiatives to deal with the problem in not only Northbridge, but also Kalumburu - where last week I announced that additional police officers will be appointed - and throughout Western Australia. This Government has provided the resources to deal with this issue in its response to the Gordon inquiry and to homelessness. This Government has the ability to address these issues. Why is it that members on this side of the House have the ability to address these issues and members on the opposite side do not? There is one simple difference; that is, we are Labor politicians and we are therefore capable of dealing with these issues. I disagree with the president of the Police Union and ask him to wait until he sees the details of the plan before jumping to conclusions. This Government will use the existing law to deal with this issue. It is also important to note - before people talk about the lack of funds in this area in Western Australia - that this Government has already put funds into the homelessness strategy and its response to the Gordon inquiry. I am pleased to be the head of a Government that takes child sex abuse, family violence, homelessness and all the risks and problems associated with those issues seriously. They are not issues that can be swept under the carpet. They must be addressed. We have seen a pathetic performance from the Liberal Party in the past few weeks on a fundamental issue that this State had to address, and the electors will take that into account when they make their judgment at the next election.
(1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition is incapable of dealing with the serious issues we face in Western Australia. He is incapable of dealing with the serious issue in Northbridge, the bad behaviour that occurs there, and the risk to youngsters. I saw examples of that risk first-hand late on Friday night and early Saturday morning. The Opposition is incapable of addressing the issues. I disagree fundamentally with the President of the Police Union. I find it strange that he would comment on the matter before the full details of the policy are released. He seems to know what the implications of the policy will be before the Government has announced the details. I disagree with him. The Government will work within the existing laws of Western Australia. All members know that under the Child Welfare Act, young children should not be on the streets unsupervised late at night. Those children are at risk. Not only are they at risk themselves, but also they are creating problems for the rest of the community. The Government will work with the Noongar Patrol - which is doing excellent work - Mission Australia and other agencies to bring about solutions to the issue. Secondly, I draw the attention of Leader of the Opposition to the work that this Government has done to reduce child sexual abuse, homelessness and family violence; it set up the Gordon inquiry, as opposed to the Liberal and the National Parties which swept the matter under the carpet. The Gordon inquiry made a range of recommendations, the vast bulk of which the Government has accepted. The Government is spending $75 million to back up that program. It will be used for a range of creative service delivery initiatives to deal with the problem in not only Northbridge, but also Kalumburu - where last week I announced that additional police officers will be appointed - and throughout Western Australia. This Government has provided the resources to deal with this issue in its response to the Gordon inquiry and to homelessness. This Government has the ability to address these issues. Why is it that members on this side of the House have the ability to address these issues and members on the opposite side do not? There is one simple difference; that is, we are Labor politicians and we are therefore capable of dealing with these issues. I disagree with the president of the Police Union and ask him to wait until he sees the details of the plan before jumping to conclusions. This Government will use the existing law to deal with this issue. It is also important to note - before people talk about the lack of funds in this area in Western Australia - that this Government has already put funds into the homelessness strategy and its response to the Gordon inquiry. I am pleased to be the head of a Government that takes child sex abuse, family violence, homelessness and all the risks and problems associated with those issues seriously. They are not issues that can be swept under the carpet. They must be addressed. We have seen a pathetic performance from the Liberal Party in the past few weeks on a fundamental issue that this State had to address, and the electors will take that into account when they make their judgment at the next election.
I disagree with the president of the Police Union and ask him to wait until he sees the details of the plan before jumping to conclusions. This Government will use the existing law to deal with this issue. It is also important to note - before people talk about the lack of funds in this area in Western Australia - that this Government has already put funds into the homelessness strategy and its response to the Gordon inquiry. I am pleased to be the head of a Government that takes child sex abuse, family violence, homelessness and all the risks and problems associated with those issues seriously. They are not issues that can be swept under the carpet. They must be addressed. We have seen a pathetic performance from the Liberal Party in the past few weeks on a fundamental issue that this State had to address, and the electors will take that into account when they make their judgment at the next election.
I am pleased to be the head of a Government that takes child sex abuse, family violence, homelessness and all the risks and problems associated with those issues seriously. They are not issues that can be swept under the carpet. They must be addressed. We have seen a pathetic performance from the Liberal Party in the past few weeks on a fundamental issue that this State had to address, and the electors will take that into account when they make their judgment at the next election.
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