❓ Mr. Johnson questions the Minister for Police and Emergency Services about budget allocations for law and order, specifically regarding the lack of new police stations despite closures and a decrease in capital works spending. The Minister defends the government's record, citing existing projects and improved resourcing.
AnsweredQoN 243Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
STATE BUDGET — LAW AND ORDER 243. Mr R.F. JOHNSON to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services: I refer to funding in last week’s budget for law and order. (1) Will the minister please explain why, despite closing six police stations last year, not one new police station was announced in this year’s budget? Mr E.S. Ripper : Another big spender — The SPEAKER : Order! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is a question of priorities—more on police, less on spin doctors. (2) Will the minister explain how his government proposes to recruit further police if we do not have the infrastructure to support them? (3) At a time when crime is rife and antisocial behaviour is spiralling out of control, will the minister explain why spending in the police capital works program has decreased by almost $43 million? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I thank the member for his question and his usual attempt to twist and distort things totally away from the reality of the situation. The fact is that there is money for new police stations in the budget. Mr R.F. Johnson : Whereabouts? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : During the estimates committee hearings I will go through the budget papers and show the member. A large number of police stations are under construction. There is money for those and there is money for new ones that have not yet been started. For instance, the new Perth central police station will cost in the order of $100 million. It will provide accommodation for the approximately 400 officers who will be located there. This government is building the infrastructure. Of course, capital spending is lumpy. There is large expenditure one year, which falls away the next as a large project is finished, and it then builds up as other projects come on line; therefore, the capital spend goes up and down. However, this government is committed to employing additional police and to properly resourcing them. It has done so to the point now where police in Western Australia are resourced per head of population 18 per cent higher than the average across the other states. That is very different to the situation under the last government, when police could not even put petrol in the tanks of their cars because the funding was not being put into the police budget to make sure that they could operate. In referring to “spiralling” crime, the member wishes to use figures very selectively. The figures from the police are showing that since we came to government reduction in a whole range of crimes has been most marked. There have been reductions of 40 per cent in a whole range of crimes since we came to government and employed extra police and gave them resources so that they could crack down on crime, and that is what they are doing. It is unfortunate that the opposition wants to knock our police and the fantastic job they are doing, instead of getting in there and supporting them. Opposition members say that they support our police, but time after time they want to knock them and the brilliant job they are doing.
STATE BUDGET — LAW AND ORDER
I refer to funding in last week’s budget for law and order. (1) Will the minister please explain why, despite closing six police stations last year, not one new police station was announced in this year’s budget? Mr E.S. Ripper : Another big spender — The SPEAKER : Order! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is a question of priorities—more on police, less on spin doctors. (2) Will the minister explain how his government proposes to recruit further police if we do not have the infrastructure to support them? (3) At a time when crime is rife and antisocial behaviour is spiralling out of control, will the minister explain why spending in the police capital works program has decreased by almost $43 million? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question and his usual attempt to twist and distort things totally away from the reality of the situation. The fact is that there is money for new police stations in the budget. Mr R.F. Johnson : Whereabouts? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : During the estimates committee hearings I will go through the budget papers and show the member. A large number of police stations are under construction. There is money for those and there is money for new ones that have not yet been started. For instance, the new Perth central police station will cost in the order of $100 million. It will provide accommodation for the approximately 400 officers who will be located there. This government is building the infrastructure. Of course, capital spending is lumpy. There is large expenditure one year, which falls away the next as a large project is finished, and it then builds up as other projects come on line; therefore, the capital spend goes up and down. However, this government is committed to employing additional police and to properly resourcing them. It has done so to the point now where police in Western Australia are resourced per head of population 18 per cent higher than the average across the other states. That is very different to the situation under the last government, when police could not even put petrol in the tanks of their cars because the funding was not being put into the police budget to make sure that they could operate. In referring to “spiralling” crime, the member wishes to use figures very selectively. The figures from the police are showing that since we came to government reduction in a whole range of crimes has been most marked. There have been reductions of 40 per cent in a whole range of crimes since we came to government and employed extra police and gave them resources so that they could crack down on crime, and that is what they are doing. It is unfortunate that the opposition wants to knock our police and the fantastic job they are doing, instead of getting in there and supporting them. Opposition members say that they support our police, but time after time they want to knock them and the brilliant job they are doing.
(1) Will the minister please explain why, despite closing six police stations last year, not one new police station was announced in this year’s budget? Mr E.S. Ripper : Another big spender — The SPEAKER : Order! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is a question of priorities—more on police, less on spin doctors. (2) Will the minister explain how his government proposes to recruit further police if we do not have the infrastructure to support them? (3) At a time when crime is rife and antisocial behaviour is spiralling out of control, will the minister explain why spending in the police capital works program has decreased by almost $43 million? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question and his usual attempt to twist and distort things totally away from the reality of the situation. The fact is that there is money for new police stations in the budget. Mr R.F. Johnson : Whereabouts? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : During the estimates committee hearings I will go through the budget papers and show the member. A large number of police stations are under construction. There is money for those and there is money for new ones that have not yet been started. For instance, the new Perth central police station will cost in the order of $100 million. It will provide accommodation for the approximately 400 officers who will be located there. This government is building the infrastructure. Of course, capital spending is lumpy. There is large expenditure one year, which falls away the next as a large project is finished, and it then builds up as other projects come on line; therefore, the capital spend goes up and down. However, this government is committed to employing additional police and to properly resourcing them. It has done so to the point now where police in Western Australia are resourced per head of population 18 per cent higher than the average across the other states. That is very different to the situation under the last government, when police could not even put petrol in the tanks of their cars because the funding was not being put into the police budget to make sure that they could operate. In referring to “spiralling” crime, the member wishes to use figures very selectively. The figures from the police are showing that since we came to government reduction in a whole range of crimes has been most marked. There have been reductions of 40 per cent in a whole range of crimes since we came to government and employed extra police and gave them resources so that they could crack down on crime, and that is what they are doing. It is unfortunate that the opposition wants to knock our police and the fantastic job they are doing, instead of getting in there and supporting them. Opposition members say that they support our police, but time after time they want to knock them and the brilliant job they are doing.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Another big spender — The SPEAKER : Order! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is a question of priorities—more on police, less on spin doctors. (2) Will the minister explain how his government proposes to recruit further police if we do not have the infrastructure to support them? (3) At a time when crime is rife and antisocial behaviour is spiralling out of control, will the minister explain why spending in the police capital works program has decreased by almost $43 million? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question and his usual attempt to twist and distort things totally away from the reality of the situation. The fact is that there is money for new police stations in the budget. Mr R.F. Johnson : Whereabouts? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : During the estimates committee hearings I will go through the budget papers and show the member. A large number of police stations are under construction. There is money for those and there is money for new ones that have not yet been started. For instance, the new Perth central police station will cost in the order of $100 million. It will provide accommodation for the approximately 400 officers who will be located there. This government is building the infrastructure. Of course, capital spending is lumpy. There is large expenditure one year, which falls away the next as a large project is finished, and it then builds up as other projects come on line; therefore, the capital spend goes up and down. However, this government is committed to employing additional police and to properly resourcing them. It has done so to the point now where police in Western Australia are resourced per head of population 18 per cent higher than the average across the other states. That is very different to the situation under the last government, when police could not even put petrol in the tanks of their cars because the funding was not being put into the police budget to make sure that they could operate. In referring to “spiralling” crime, the member wishes to use figures very selectively. The figures from the police are showing that since we came to government reduction in a whole range of crimes has been most marked. There have been reductions of 40 per cent in a whole range of crimes since we came to government and employed extra police and gave them resources so that they could crack down on crime, and that is what they are doing. It is unfortunate that the opposition wants to knock our police and the fantastic job they are doing, instead of getting in there and supporting them. Opposition members say that they support our police, but time after time they want to knock them and the brilliant job they are doing.
The SPEAKER : Order! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is a question of priorities—more on police, less on spin doctors. (2) Will the minister explain how his government proposes to recruit further police if we do not have the infrastructure to support them? (3) At a time when crime is rife and antisocial behaviour is spiralling out of control, will the minister explain why spending in the police capital works program has decreased by almost $43 million? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question and his usual attempt to twist and distort things totally away from the reality of the situation. The fact is that there is money for new police stations in the budget. Mr R.F. Johnson : Whereabouts? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : During the estimates committee hearings I will go through the budget papers and show the member. A large number of police stations are under construction. There is money for those and there is money for new ones that have not yet been started. For instance, the new Perth central police station will cost in the order of $100 million. It will provide accommodation for the approximately 400 officers who will be located there. This government is building the infrastructure. Of course, capital spending is lumpy. There is large expenditure one year, which falls away the next as a large project is finished, and it then builds up as other projects come on line; therefore, the capital spend goes up and down. However, this government is committed to employing additional police and to properly resourcing them. It has done so to the point now where police in Western Australia are resourced per head of population 18 per cent higher than the average across the other states. That is very different to the situation under the last government, when police could not even put petrol in the tanks of their cars because the funding was not being put into the police budget to make sure that they could operate. In referring to “spiralling” crime, the member wishes to use figures very selectively. The figures from the police are showing that since we came to government reduction in a whole range of crimes has been most marked. There have been reductions of 40 per cent in a whole range of crimes since we came to government and employed extra police and gave them resources so that they could crack down on crime, and that is what they are doing. It is unfortunate that the opposition wants to knock our police and the fantastic job they are doing, instead of getting in there and supporting them. Opposition members say that they support our police, but time after time they want to knock them and the brilliant job they are doing.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is a question of priorities—more on police, less on spin doctors. (2) Will the minister explain how his government proposes to recruit further police if we do not have the infrastructure to support them? (3) At a time when crime is rife and antisocial behaviour is spiralling out of control, will the minister explain why spending in the police capital works program has decreased by almost $43 million? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question and his usual attempt to twist and distort things totally away from the reality of the situation. The fact is that there is money for new police stations in the budget. Mr R.F. Johnson : Whereabouts? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : During the estimates committee hearings I will go through the budget papers and show the member. A large number of police stations are under construction. There is money for those and there is money for new ones that have not yet been started. For instance, the new Perth central police station will cost in the order of $100 million. It will provide accommodation for the approximately 400 officers who will be located there. This government is building the infrastructure. Of course, capital spending is lumpy. There is large expenditure one year, which falls away the next as a large project is finished, and it then builds up as other projects come on line; therefore, the capital spend goes up and down. However, this government is committed to employing additional police and to properly resourcing them. It has done so to the point now where police in Western Australia are resourced per head of population 18 per cent higher than the average across the other states. That is very different to the situation under the last government, when police could not even put petrol in the tanks of their cars because the funding was not being put into the police budget to make sure that they could operate. In referring to “spiralling” crime, the member wishes to use figures very selectively. The figures from the police are showing that since we came to government reduction in a whole range of crimes has been most marked. There have been reductions of 40 per cent in a whole range of crimes since we came to government and employed extra police and gave them resources so that they could crack down on crime, and that is what they are doing. It is unfortunate that the opposition wants to knock our police and the fantastic job they are doing, instead of getting in there and supporting them. Opposition members say that they support our police, but time after time they want to knock them and the brilliant job they are doing.
(2) Will the minister explain how his government proposes to recruit further police if we do not have the infrastructure to support them? (3) At a time when crime is rife and antisocial behaviour is spiralling out of control, will the minister explain why spending in the police capital works program has decreased by almost $43 million? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question and his usual attempt to twist and distort things totally away from the reality of the situation. The fact is that there is money for new police stations in the budget. Mr R.F. Johnson : Whereabouts? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : During the estimates committee hearings I will go through the budget papers and show the member. A large number of police stations are under construction. There is money for those and there is money for new ones that have not yet been started. For instance, the new Perth central police station will cost in the order of $100 million. It will provide accommodation for the approximately 400 officers who will be located there. This government is building the infrastructure. Of course, capital spending is lumpy. There is large expenditure one year, which falls away the next as a large project is finished, and it then builds up as other projects come on line; therefore, the capital spend goes up and down. However, this government is committed to employing additional police and to properly resourcing them. It has done so to the point now where police in Western Australia are resourced per head of population 18 per cent higher than the average across the other states. That is very different to the situation under the last government, when police could not even put petrol in the tanks of their cars because the funding was not being put into the police budget to make sure that they could operate. In referring to “spiralling” crime, the member wishes to use figures very selectively. The figures from the police are showing that since we came to government reduction in a whole range of crimes has been most marked. There have been reductions of 40 per cent in a whole range of crimes since we came to government and employed extra police and gave them resources so that they could crack down on crime, and that is what they are doing. It is unfortunate that the opposition wants to knock our police and the fantastic job they are doing, instead of getting in there and supporting them. Opposition members say that they support our police, but time after time they want to knock them and the brilliant job they are doing.
(3) At a time when crime is rife and antisocial behaviour is spiralling out of control, will the minister explain why spending in the police capital works program has decreased by almost $43 million? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question and his usual attempt to twist and distort things totally away from the reality of the situation. The fact is that there is money for new police stations in the budget. Mr R.F. Johnson : Whereabouts? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : During the estimates committee hearings I will go through the budget papers and show the member. A large number of police stations are under construction. There is money for those and there is money for new ones that have not yet been started. For instance, the new Perth central police station will cost in the order of $100 million. It will provide accommodation for the approximately 400 officers who will be located there. This government is building the infrastructure. Of course, capital spending is lumpy. There is large expenditure one year, which falls away the next as a large project is finished, and it then builds up as other projects come on line; therefore, the capital spend goes up and down. However, this government is committed to employing additional police and to properly resourcing them. It has done so to the point now where police in Western Australia are resourced per head of population 18 per cent higher than the average across the other states. That is very different to the situation under the last government, when police could not even put petrol in the tanks of their cars because the funding was not being put into the police budget to make sure that they could operate. In referring to “spiralling” crime, the member wishes to use figures very selectively. The figures from the police are showing that since we came to government reduction in a whole range of crimes has been most marked. There have been reductions of 40 per cent in a whole range of crimes since we came to government and employed extra police and gave them resources so that they could crack down on crime, and that is what they are doing. It is unfortunate that the opposition wants to knock our police and the fantastic job they are doing, instead of getting in there and supporting them. Opposition members say that they support our police, but time after time they want to knock them and the brilliant job they are doing.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question and his usual attempt to twist and distort things totally away from the reality of the situation. The fact is that there is money for new police stations in the budget. Mr R.F. Johnson : Whereabouts? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : During the estimates committee hearings I will go through the budget papers and show the member. A large number of police stations are under construction. There is money for those and there is money for new ones that have not yet been started. For instance, the new Perth central police station will cost in the order of $100 million. It will provide accommodation for the approximately 400 officers who will be located there. This government is building the infrastructure. Of course, capital spending is lumpy. There is large expenditure one year, which falls away the next as a large project is finished, and it then builds up as other projects come on line; therefore, the capital spend goes up and down. However, this government is committed to employing additional police and to properly resourcing them. It has done so to the point now where police in Western Australia are resourced per head of population 18 per cent higher than the average across the other states. That is very different to the situation under the last government, when police could not even put petrol in the tanks of their cars because the funding was not being put into the police budget to make sure that they could operate. In referring to “spiralling” crime, the member wishes to use figures very selectively. The figures from the police are showing that since we came to government reduction in a whole range of crimes has been most marked. There have been reductions of 40 per cent in a whole range of crimes since we came to government and employed extra police and gave them resources so that they could crack down on crime, and that is what they are doing. It is unfortunate that the opposition wants to knock our police and the fantastic job they are doing, instead of getting in there and supporting them. Opposition members say that they support our police, but time after time they want to knock them and the brilliant job they are doing.
(1)-(3) I thank the member for his question and his usual attempt to twist and distort things totally away from the reality of the situation. The fact is that there is money for new police stations in the budget. Mr R.F. Johnson : Whereabouts? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : During the estimates committee hearings I will go through the budget papers and show the member. A large number of police stations are under construction. There is money for those and there is money for new ones that have not yet been started. For instance, the new Perth central police station will cost in the order of $100 million. It will provide accommodation for the approximately 400 officers who will be located there. This government is building the infrastructure. Of course, capital spending is lumpy. There is large expenditure one year, which falls away the next as a large project is finished, and it then builds up as other projects come on line; therefore, the capital spend goes up and down. However, this government is committed to employing additional police and to properly resourcing them. It has done so to the point now where police in Western Australia are resourced per head of population 18 per cent higher than the average across the other states. That is very different to the situation under the last government, when police could not even put petrol in the tanks of their cars because the funding was not being put into the police budget to make sure that they could operate. In referring to “spiralling” crime, the member wishes to use figures very selectively. The figures from the police are showing that since we came to government reduction in a whole range of crimes has been most marked. There have been reductions of 40 per cent in a whole range of crimes since we came to government and employed extra police and gave them resources so that they could crack down on crime, and that is what they are doing. It is unfortunate that the opposition wants to knock our police and the fantastic job they are doing, instead of getting in there and supporting them. Opposition members say that they support our police, but time after time they want to knock them and the brilliant job they are doing.
Mr R.F. Johnson : Whereabouts? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : During the estimates committee hearings I will go through the budget papers and show the member. A large number of police stations are under construction. There is money for those and there is money for new ones that have not yet been started. For instance, the new Perth central police station will cost in the order of $100 million. It will provide accommodation for the approximately 400 officers who will be located there. This government is building the infrastructure. Of course, capital spending is lumpy. There is large expenditure one year, which falls away the next as a large project is finished, and it then builds up as other projects come on line; therefore, the capital spend goes up and down. However, this government is committed to employing additional police and to properly resourcing them. It has done so to the point now where police in Western Australia are resourced per head of population 18 per cent higher than the average across the other states. That is very different to the situation under the last government, when police could not even put petrol in the tanks of their cars because the funding was not being put into the police budget to make sure that they could operate. In referring to “spiralling” crime, the member wishes to use figures very selectively. The figures from the police are showing that since we came to government reduction in a whole range of crimes has been most marked. There have been reductions of 40 per cent in a whole range of crimes since we came to government and employed extra police and gave them resources so that they could crack down on crime, and that is what they are doing. It is unfortunate that the opposition wants to knock our police and the fantastic job they are doing, instead of getting in there and supporting them. Opposition members say that they support our police, but time after time they want to knock them and the brilliant job they are doing.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : During the estimates committee hearings I will go through the budget papers and show the member. A large number of police stations are under construction. There is money for those and there is money for new ones that have not yet been started. For instance, the new Perth central police station will cost in the order of $100 million. It will provide accommodation for the approximately 400 officers who will be located there. This government is building the infrastructure. Of course, capital spending is lumpy. There is large expenditure one year, which falls away the next as a large project is finished, and it then builds up as other projects come on line; therefore, the capital spend goes up and down. However, this government is committed to employing additional police and to properly resourcing them. It has done so to the point now where police in Western Australia are resourced per head of population 18 per cent higher than the average across the other states. That is very different to the situation under the last government, when police could not even put petrol in the tanks of their cars because the funding was not being put into the police budget to make sure that they could operate. In referring to “spiralling” crime, the member wishes to use figures very selectively. The figures from the police are showing that since we came to government reduction in a whole range of crimes has been most marked. There have been reductions of 40 per cent in a whole range of crimes since we came to government and employed extra police and gave them resources so that they could crack down on crime, and that is what they are doing. It is unfortunate that the opposition wants to knock our police and the fantastic job they are doing, instead of getting in there and supporting them. Opposition members say that they support our police, but time after time they want to knock them and the brilliant job they are doing.
STATE BUDGET — LAW AND ORDER
I refer to funding in last week’s budget for law and order. (1) Will the minister please explain why, despite closing six police stations last year, not one new police station was announced in this year’s budget? Mr E.S. Ripper : Another big spender — The SPEAKER : Order! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is a question of priorities—more on police, less on spin doctors. (2) Will the minister explain how his government proposes to recruit further police if we do not have the infrastructure to support them? (3) At a time when crime is rife and antisocial behaviour is spiralling out of control, will the minister explain why spending in the police capital works program has decreased by almost $43 million? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question and his usual attempt to twist and distort things totally away from the reality of the situation. The fact is that there is money for new police stations in the budget. Mr R.F. Johnson : Whereabouts? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : During the estimates committee hearings I will go through the budget papers and show the member. A large number of police stations are under construction. There is money for those and there is money for new ones that have not yet been started. For instance, the new Perth central police station will cost in the order of $100 million. It will provide accommodation for the approximately 400 officers who will be located there. This government is building the infrastructure. Of course, capital spending is lumpy. There is large expenditure one year, which falls away the next as a large project is finished, and it then builds up as other projects come on line; therefore, the capital spend goes up and down. However, this government is committed to employing additional police and to properly resourcing them. It has done so to the point now where police in Western Australia are resourced per head of population 18 per cent higher than the average across the other states. That is very different to the situation under the last government, when police could not even put petrol in the tanks of their cars because the funding was not being put into the police budget to make sure that they could operate. In referring to “spiralling” crime, the member wishes to use figures very selectively. The figures from the police are showing that since we came to government reduction in a whole range of crimes has been most marked. There have been reductions of 40 per cent in a whole range of crimes since we came to government and employed extra police and gave them resources so that they could crack down on crime, and that is what they are doing. It is unfortunate that the opposition wants to knock our police and the fantastic job they are doing, instead of getting in there and supporting them. Opposition members say that they support our police, but time after time they want to knock them and the brilliant job they are doing.
(1) Will the minister please explain why, despite closing six police stations last year, not one new police station was announced in this year’s budget? Mr E.S. Ripper : Another big spender — The SPEAKER : Order! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is a question of priorities—more on police, less on spin doctors. (2) Will the minister explain how his government proposes to recruit further police if we do not have the infrastructure to support them? (3) At a time when crime is rife and antisocial behaviour is spiralling out of control, will the minister explain why spending in the police capital works program has decreased by almost $43 million? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question and his usual attempt to twist and distort things totally away from the reality of the situation. The fact is that there is money for new police stations in the budget. Mr R.F. Johnson : Whereabouts? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : During the estimates committee hearings I will go through the budget papers and show the member. A large number of police stations are under construction. There is money for those and there is money for new ones that have not yet been started. For instance, the new Perth central police station will cost in the order of $100 million. It will provide accommodation for the approximately 400 officers who will be located there. This government is building the infrastructure. Of course, capital spending is lumpy. There is large expenditure one year, which falls away the next as a large project is finished, and it then builds up as other projects come on line; therefore, the capital spend goes up and down. However, this government is committed to employing additional police and to properly resourcing them. It has done so to the point now where police in Western Australia are resourced per head of population 18 per cent higher than the average across the other states. That is very different to the situation under the last government, when police could not even put petrol in the tanks of their cars because the funding was not being put into the police budget to make sure that they could operate. In referring to “spiralling” crime, the member wishes to use figures very selectively. The figures from the police are showing that since we came to government reduction in a whole range of crimes has been most marked. There have been reductions of 40 per cent in a whole range of crimes since we came to government and employed extra police and gave them resources so that they could crack down on crime, and that is what they are doing. It is unfortunate that the opposition wants to knock our police and the fantastic job they are doing, instead of getting in there and supporting them. Opposition members say that they support our police, but time after time they want to knock them and the brilliant job they are doing.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Another big spender — The SPEAKER : Order! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is a question of priorities—more on police, less on spin doctors. (2) Will the minister explain how his government proposes to recruit further police if we do not have the infrastructure to support them? (3) At a time when crime is rife and antisocial behaviour is spiralling out of control, will the minister explain why spending in the police capital works program has decreased by almost $43 million? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question and his usual attempt to twist and distort things totally away from the reality of the situation. The fact is that there is money for new police stations in the budget. Mr R.F. Johnson : Whereabouts? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : During the estimates committee hearings I will go through the budget papers and show the member. A large number of police stations are under construction. There is money for those and there is money for new ones that have not yet been started. For instance, the new Perth central police station will cost in the order of $100 million. It will provide accommodation for the approximately 400 officers who will be located there. This government is building the infrastructure. Of course, capital spending is lumpy. There is large expenditure one year, which falls away the next as a large project is finished, and it then builds up as other projects come on line; therefore, the capital spend goes up and down. However, this government is committed to employing additional police and to properly resourcing them. It has done so to the point now where police in Western Australia are resourced per head of population 18 per cent higher than the average across the other states. That is very different to the situation under the last government, when police could not even put petrol in the tanks of their cars because the funding was not being put into the police budget to make sure that they could operate. In referring to “spiralling” crime, the member wishes to use figures very selectively. The figures from the police are showing that since we came to government reduction in a whole range of crimes has been most marked. There have been reductions of 40 per cent in a whole range of crimes since we came to government and employed extra police and gave them resources so that they could crack down on crime, and that is what they are doing. It is unfortunate that the opposition wants to knock our police and the fantastic job they are doing, instead of getting in there and supporting them. Opposition members say that they support our police, but time after time they want to knock them and the brilliant job they are doing.
The SPEAKER : Order! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is a question of priorities—more on police, less on spin doctors. (2) Will the minister explain how his government proposes to recruit further police if we do not have the infrastructure to support them? (3) At a time when crime is rife and antisocial behaviour is spiralling out of control, will the minister explain why spending in the police capital works program has decreased by almost $43 million? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question and his usual attempt to twist and distort things totally away from the reality of the situation. The fact is that there is money for new police stations in the budget. Mr R.F. Johnson : Whereabouts? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : During the estimates committee hearings I will go through the budget papers and show the member. A large number of police stations are under construction. There is money for those and there is money for new ones that have not yet been started. For instance, the new Perth central police station will cost in the order of $100 million. It will provide accommodation for the approximately 400 officers who will be located there. This government is building the infrastructure. Of course, capital spending is lumpy. There is large expenditure one year, which falls away the next as a large project is finished, and it then builds up as other projects come on line; therefore, the capital spend goes up and down. However, this government is committed to employing additional police and to properly resourcing them. It has done so to the point now where police in Western Australia are resourced per head of population 18 per cent higher than the average across the other states. That is very different to the situation under the last government, when police could not even put petrol in the tanks of their cars because the funding was not being put into the police budget to make sure that they could operate. In referring to “spiralling” crime, the member wishes to use figures very selectively. The figures from the police are showing that since we came to government reduction in a whole range of crimes has been most marked. There have been reductions of 40 per cent in a whole range of crimes since we came to government and employed extra police and gave them resources so that they could crack down on crime, and that is what they are doing. It is unfortunate that the opposition wants to knock our police and the fantastic job they are doing, instead of getting in there and supporting them. Opposition members say that they support our police, but time after time they want to knock them and the brilliant job they are doing.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is a question of priorities—more on police, less on spin doctors. (2) Will the minister explain how his government proposes to recruit further police if we do not have the infrastructure to support them? (3) At a time when crime is rife and antisocial behaviour is spiralling out of control, will the minister explain why spending in the police capital works program has decreased by almost $43 million? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question and his usual attempt to twist and distort things totally away from the reality of the situation. The fact is that there is money for new police stations in the budget. Mr R.F. Johnson : Whereabouts? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : During the estimates committee hearings I will go through the budget papers and show the member. A large number of police stations are under construction. There is money for those and there is money for new ones that have not yet been started. For instance, the new Perth central police station will cost in the order of $100 million. It will provide accommodation for the approximately 400 officers who will be located there. This government is building the infrastructure. Of course, capital spending is lumpy. There is large expenditure one year, which falls away the next as a large project is finished, and it then builds up as other projects come on line; therefore, the capital spend goes up and down. However, this government is committed to employing additional police and to properly resourcing them. It has done so to the point now where police in Western Australia are resourced per head of population 18 per cent higher than the average across the other states. That is very different to the situation under the last government, when police could not even put petrol in the tanks of their cars because the funding was not being put into the police budget to make sure that they could operate. In referring to “spiralling” crime, the member wishes to use figures very selectively. The figures from the police are showing that since we came to government reduction in a whole range of crimes has been most marked. There have been reductions of 40 per cent in a whole range of crimes since we came to government and employed extra police and gave them resources so that they could crack down on crime, and that is what they are doing. It is unfortunate that the opposition wants to knock our police and the fantastic job they are doing, instead of getting in there and supporting them. Opposition members say that they support our police, but time after time they want to knock them and the brilliant job they are doing.
(2) Will the minister explain how his government proposes to recruit further police if we do not have the infrastructure to support them? (3) At a time when crime is rife and antisocial behaviour is spiralling out of control, will the minister explain why spending in the police capital works program has decreased by almost $43 million? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question and his usual attempt to twist and distort things totally away from the reality of the situation. The fact is that there is money for new police stations in the budget. Mr R.F. Johnson : Whereabouts? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : During the estimates committee hearings I will go through the budget papers and show the member. A large number of police stations are under construction. There is money for those and there is money for new ones that have not yet been started. For instance, the new Perth central police station will cost in the order of $100 million. It will provide accommodation for the approximately 400 officers who will be located there. This government is building the infrastructure. Of course, capital spending is lumpy. There is large expenditure one year, which falls away the next as a large project is finished, and it then builds up as other projects come on line; therefore, the capital spend goes up and down. However, this government is committed to employing additional police and to properly resourcing them. It has done so to the point now where police in Western Australia are resourced per head of population 18 per cent higher than the average across the other states. That is very different to the situation under the last government, when police could not even put petrol in the tanks of their cars because the funding was not being put into the police budget to make sure that they could operate. In referring to “spiralling” crime, the member wishes to use figures very selectively. The figures from the police are showing that since we came to government reduction in a whole range of crimes has been most marked. There have been reductions of 40 per cent in a whole range of crimes since we came to government and employed extra police and gave them resources so that they could crack down on crime, and that is what they are doing. It is unfortunate that the opposition wants to knock our police and the fantastic job they are doing, instead of getting in there and supporting them. Opposition members say that they support our police, but time after time they want to knock them and the brilliant job they are doing.
(3) At a time when crime is rife and antisocial behaviour is spiralling out of control, will the minister explain why spending in the police capital works program has decreased by almost $43 million? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question and his usual attempt to twist and distort things totally away from the reality of the situation. The fact is that there is money for new police stations in the budget. Mr R.F. Johnson : Whereabouts? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : During the estimates committee hearings I will go through the budget papers and show the member. A large number of police stations are under construction. There is money for those and there is money for new ones that have not yet been started. For instance, the new Perth central police station will cost in the order of $100 million. It will provide accommodation for the approximately 400 officers who will be located there. This government is building the infrastructure. Of course, capital spending is lumpy. There is large expenditure one year, which falls away the next as a large project is finished, and it then builds up as other projects come on line; therefore, the capital spend goes up and down. However, this government is committed to employing additional police and to properly resourcing them. It has done so to the point now where police in Western Australia are resourced per head of population 18 per cent higher than the average across the other states. That is very different to the situation under the last government, when police could not even put petrol in the tanks of their cars because the funding was not being put into the police budget to make sure that they could operate. In referring to “spiralling” crime, the member wishes to use figures very selectively. The figures from the police are showing that since we came to government reduction in a whole range of crimes has been most marked. There have been reductions of 40 per cent in a whole range of crimes since we came to government and employed extra police and gave them resources so that they could crack down on crime, and that is what they are doing. It is unfortunate that the opposition wants to knock our police and the fantastic job they are doing, instead of getting in there and supporting them. Opposition members say that they support our police, but time after time they want to knock them and the brilliant job they are doing.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for his question and his usual attempt to twist and distort things totally away from the reality of the situation. The fact is that there is money for new police stations in the budget. Mr R.F. Johnson : Whereabouts? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : During the estimates committee hearings I will go through the budget papers and show the member. A large number of police stations are under construction. There is money for those and there is money for new ones that have not yet been started. For instance, the new Perth central police station will cost in the order of $100 million. It will provide accommodation for the approximately 400 officers who will be located there. This government is building the infrastructure. Of course, capital spending is lumpy. There is large expenditure one year, which falls away the next as a large project is finished, and it then builds up as other projects come on line; therefore, the capital spend goes up and down. However, this government is committed to employing additional police and to properly resourcing them. It has done so to the point now where police in Western Australia are resourced per head of population 18 per cent higher than the average across the other states. That is very different to the situation under the last government, when police could not even put petrol in the tanks of their cars because the funding was not being put into the police budget to make sure that they could operate. In referring to “spiralling” crime, the member wishes to use figures very selectively. The figures from the police are showing that since we came to government reduction in a whole range of crimes has been most marked. There have been reductions of 40 per cent in a whole range of crimes since we came to government and employed extra police and gave them resources so that they could crack down on crime, and that is what they are doing. It is unfortunate that the opposition wants to knock our police and the fantastic job they are doing, instead of getting in there and supporting them. Opposition members say that they support our police, but time after time they want to knock them and the brilliant job they are doing.
(1)-(3) I thank the member for his question and his usual attempt to twist and distort things totally away from the reality of the situation. The fact is that there is money for new police stations in the budget. Mr R.F. Johnson : Whereabouts? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : During the estimates committee hearings I will go through the budget papers and show the member. A large number of police stations are under construction. There is money for those and there is money for new ones that have not yet been started. For instance, the new Perth central police station will cost in the order of $100 million. It will provide accommodation for the approximately 400 officers who will be located there. This government is building the infrastructure. Of course, capital spending is lumpy. There is large expenditure one year, which falls away the next as a large project is finished, and it then builds up as other projects come on line; therefore, the capital spend goes up and down. However, this government is committed to employing additional police and to properly resourcing them. It has done so to the point now where police in Western Australia are resourced per head of population 18 per cent higher than the average across the other states. That is very different to the situation under the last government, when police could not even put petrol in the tanks of their cars because the funding was not being put into the police budget to make sure that they could operate. In referring to “spiralling” crime, the member wishes to use figures very selectively. The figures from the police are showing that since we came to government reduction in a whole range of crimes has been most marked. There have been reductions of 40 per cent in a whole range of crimes since we came to government and employed extra police and gave them resources so that they could crack down on crime, and that is what they are doing. It is unfortunate that the opposition wants to knock our police and the fantastic job they are doing, instead of getting in there and supporting them. Opposition members say that they support our police, but time after time they want to knock them and the brilliant job they are doing.
Mr R.F. Johnson : Whereabouts? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : During the estimates committee hearings I will go through the budget papers and show the member. A large number of police stations are under construction. There is money for those and there is money for new ones that have not yet been started. For instance, the new Perth central police station will cost in the order of $100 million. It will provide accommodation for the approximately 400 officers who will be located there. This government is building the infrastructure. Of course, capital spending is lumpy. There is large expenditure one year, which falls away the next as a large project is finished, and it then builds up as other projects come on line; therefore, the capital spend goes up and down. However, this government is committed to employing additional police and to properly resourcing them. It has done so to the point now where police in Western Australia are resourced per head of population 18 per cent higher than the average across the other states. That is very different to the situation under the last government, when police could not even put petrol in the tanks of their cars because the funding was not being put into the police budget to make sure that they could operate. In referring to “spiralling” crime, the member wishes to use figures very selectively. The figures from the police are showing that since we came to government reduction in a whole range of crimes has been most marked. There have been reductions of 40 per cent in a whole range of crimes since we came to government and employed extra police and gave them resources so that they could crack down on crime, and that is what they are doing. It is unfortunate that the opposition wants to knock our police and the fantastic job they are doing, instead of getting in there and supporting them. Opposition members say that they support our police, but time after time they want to knock them and the brilliant job they are doing.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : During the estimates committee hearings I will go through the budget papers and show the member. A large number of police stations are under construction. There is money for those and there is money for new ones that have not yet been started. For instance, the new Perth central police station will cost in the order of $100 million. It will provide accommodation for the approximately 400 officers who will be located there. This government is building the infrastructure. Of course, capital spending is lumpy. There is large expenditure one year, which falls away the next as a large project is finished, and it then builds up as other projects come on line; therefore, the capital spend goes up and down. However, this government is committed to employing additional police and to properly resourcing them. It has done so to the point now where police in Western Australia are resourced per head of population 18 per cent higher than the average across the other states. That is very different to the situation under the last government, when police could not even put petrol in the tanks of their cars because the funding was not being put into the police budget to make sure that they could operate. In referring to “spiralling” crime, the member wishes to use figures very selectively. The figures from the police are showing that since we came to government reduction in a whole range of crimes has been most marked. There have been reductions of 40 per cent in a whole range of crimes since we came to government and employed extra police and gave them resources so that they could crack down on crime, and that is what they are doing. It is unfortunate that the opposition wants to knock our police and the fantastic job they are doing, instead of getting in there and supporting them. Opposition members say that they support our police, but time after time they want to knock them and the brilliant job they are doing.
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