❓ Question regarding government funding for the emergency services communication network in regional WA, highlighting the importance of modern infrastructure for police and emergency services. The Minister's answer details the $120 million investment, criticising the previous government's inaction.
AnsweredQoN 449Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
POLICE — EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMUNICATION NETWORK
I also take this opportunity to welcome the students and teachers from Penrhos College who are in the public gallery today and who obviously come from the member for South Perth’s electorate. As a former officer-in-charge of regional police stations, I understand the importance of emergency communication support, particularly during critical incidents. Infrastructure has not kept abreast of technology over the past eight years. I understand that an announcement was made at the recent regional cabinet meeting about the funding of the emergency services communication network. Will the minister please advise the house—I could not quite hear before when the member for Central Wheatbelt was on his feet because of the rabble on the other side—what this government is doing to support our police and emergency service workers throughout regional Western Australia? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
I also take this opportunity to welcome the students and teachers from Penrhos College who are in the public gallery today and who obviously come from the member for South Perth’s electorate. As a former officer-in-charge of regional police stations, I understand the importance of emergency communication support, particularly during critical incidents. Infrastructure has not kept abreast of technology over the past eight years. I understand that an announcement was made at the recent regional cabinet meeting about the funding of the emergency services communication network. Will the minister please advise the house—I could not quite hear before when the member for Central Wheatbelt was on his feet because of the rabble on the other side—what this government is doing to support our police and emergency service workers throughout regional Western Australia? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
AnswerView source ↗
I am delighted to refer to what the Minister for Regional Development mentioned earlier in his brief ministerial statement. It is of course great news, because this government is funding $120 million, with, as members will have heard, $40 million predominantly for mobile coverage. The lion’s share of that $120 million, or $80 million, is for emergency services. Police of course play a very significant role in emergency services and are pre-eminent in dealing with crises and crimes and the various other emergencies that take place in the regional areas. That $80 million is essential if we are to have that communication system in place. I have to say that when we came to government, our police were in a dire situation; they had an old analogue system for which they could not even buy new spare parts. The previous government left the police in that position. I am told that WA Police did make application to the previous government to put in place a new regional radio network system, which would have been a digital system, but as I understand it, that plea fell on deaf ears—as did those in so many other areas of essential services in Western Australia. There were a lot of interjections earlier when the Minister for Regional Development made his brief ministerial statement. Quite frankly, I am surprised there are not more interjections now. I am not inviting them, but I am surprised. What went through my mind was that this was guilt on behalf of the Labor Party in relation to the fact that it did nothing — Mr J.N. Hyde : What did you do? It’s been two years. You’re the government! What are you going to do? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are spending $80 million on the emergency regional radio network. That is what we are doing! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where is it? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is happening over the next three years, as the member will see in the budget papers. I have to say that we get moronic remarks from a moronic member who really does not listen. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Girrawheen is keeping very quiet now because she knows for a fact that the police applied to the previous government to have their regional radio network installed as a digital system that would cover the whole of Western Australia. That is what they needed for community safety. Apart from the police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority together with the Department of Corrective Services were looking at a communications system. I said to FESA, the police and Corrective Services, through the Department of the Attorney General, that it was stupid of us to have three different systems; that we needed one major system; and that all of these communications for the whole of WA needed to come through one pylon, wherever that might be with economies of scale and so on. That is what is taking place. We are putting pylons throughout the whole of WA, apart from mobile phone coverage, which will be very good. In the past, under the previous government, the police had to use a tow truck operator’s two-way radio to communicate messages and get various responses. This will not happen in the future because this government is serious about not only the safety of our police officers who have to travel in these very remote and regional areas, but also the safety of the public. That is our number one priority. We are doing what the previous government only ever said it was “gunna” do—like so many other things. We are therefore coming up with the goods, unlike the previous government that left us empty-handed.
As a former officer-in-charge of regional police stations, I understand the importance of emergency communication support, particularly during critical incidents. Infrastructure has not kept abreast of technology over the past eight years. I understand that an announcement was made at the recent regional cabinet meeting about the funding of the emergency services communication network. Will the minister please advise the house—I could not quite hear before when the member for Central Wheatbelt was on his feet because of the rabble on the other side—what this government is doing to support our police and emergency service workers throughout regional Western Australia? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I am delighted to refer to what the Minister for Regional Development mentioned earlier in his brief ministerial statement. It is of course great news, because this government is funding $120 million, with, as members will have heard, $40 million predominantly for mobile coverage. The lion’s share of that $120 million, or $80 million, is for emergency services. Police of course play a very significant role in emergency services and are pre-eminent in dealing with crises and crimes and the various other emergencies that take place in the regional areas. That $80 million is essential if we are to have that communication system in place. I have to say that when we came to government, our police were in a dire situation; they had an old analogue system for which they could not even buy new spare parts. The previous government left the police in that position. I am told that WA Police did make application to the previous government to put in place a new regional radio network system, which would have been a digital system, but as I understand it, that plea fell on deaf ears—as did those in so many other areas of essential services in Western Australia. There were a lot of interjections earlier when the Minister for Regional Development made his brief ministerial statement. Quite frankly, I am surprised there are not more interjections now. I am not inviting them, but I am surprised. What went through my mind was that this was guilt on behalf of the Labor Party in relation to the fact that it did nothing — Mr J.N. Hyde : What did you do? It’s been two years. You’re the government! What are you going to do? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are spending $80 million on the emergency regional radio network. That is what we are doing! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where is it? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is happening over the next three years, as the member will see in the budget papers. I have to say that we get moronic remarks from a moronic member who really does not listen. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Girrawheen is keeping very quiet now because she knows for a fact that the police applied to the previous government to have their regional radio network installed as a digital system that would cover the whole of Western Australia. That is what they needed for community safety. Apart from the police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority together with the Department of Corrective Services were looking at a communications system. I said to FESA, the police and Corrective Services, through the Department of the Attorney General, that it was stupid of us to have three different systems; that we needed one major system; and that all of these communications for the whole of WA needed to come through one pylon, wherever that might be with economies of scale and so on. That is what is taking place. We are putting pylons throughout the whole of WA, apart from mobile phone coverage, which will be very good. In the past, under the previous government, the police had to use a tow truck operator’s two-way radio to communicate messages and get various responses. This will not happen in the future because this government is serious about not only the safety of our police officers who have to travel in these very remote and regional areas, but also the safety of the public. That is our number one priority. We are doing what the previous government only ever said it was “gunna” do—like so many other things. We are therefore coming up with the goods, unlike the previous government that left us empty-handed.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I am delighted to refer to what the Minister for Regional Development mentioned earlier in his brief ministerial statement. It is of course great news, because this government is funding $120 million, with, as members will have heard, $40 million predominantly for mobile coverage. The lion’s share of that $120 million, or $80 million, is for emergency services. Police of course play a very significant role in emergency services and are pre-eminent in dealing with crises and crimes and the various other emergencies that take place in the regional areas. That $80 million is essential if we are to have that communication system in place. I have to say that when we came to government, our police were in a dire situation; they had an old analogue system for which they could not even buy new spare parts. The previous government left the police in that position. I am told that WA Police did make application to the previous government to put in place a new regional radio network system, which would have been a digital system, but as I understand it, that plea fell on deaf ears—as did those in so many other areas of essential services in Western Australia. There were a lot of interjections earlier when the Minister for Regional Development made his brief ministerial statement. Quite frankly, I am surprised there are not more interjections now. I am not inviting them, but I am surprised. What went through my mind was that this was guilt on behalf of the Labor Party in relation to the fact that it did nothing — Mr J.N. Hyde : What did you do? It’s been two years. You’re the government! What are you going to do? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are spending $80 million on the emergency regional radio network. That is what we are doing! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where is it? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is happening over the next three years, as the member will see in the budget papers. I have to say that we get moronic remarks from a moronic member who really does not listen. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Girrawheen is keeping very quiet now because she knows for a fact that the police applied to the previous government to have their regional radio network installed as a digital system that would cover the whole of Western Australia. That is what they needed for community safety. Apart from the police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority together with the Department of Corrective Services were looking at a communications system. I said to FESA, the police and Corrective Services, through the Department of the Attorney General, that it was stupid of us to have three different systems; that we needed one major system; and that all of these communications for the whole of WA needed to come through one pylon, wherever that might be with economies of scale and so on. That is what is taking place. We are putting pylons throughout the whole of WA, apart from mobile phone coverage, which will be very good. In the past, under the previous government, the police had to use a tow truck operator’s two-way radio to communicate messages and get various responses. This will not happen in the future because this government is serious about not only the safety of our police officers who have to travel in these very remote and regional areas, but also the safety of the public. That is our number one priority. We are doing what the previous government only ever said it was “gunna” do—like so many other things. We are therefore coming up with the goods, unlike the previous government that left us empty-handed.
I am delighted to refer to what the Minister for Regional Development mentioned earlier in his brief ministerial statement. It is of course great news, because this government is funding $120 million, with, as members will have heard, $40 million predominantly for mobile coverage. The lion’s share of that $120 million, or $80 million, is for emergency services. Police of course play a very significant role in emergency services and are pre-eminent in dealing with crises and crimes and the various other emergencies that take place in the regional areas. That $80 million is essential if we are to have that communication system in place. I have to say that when we came to government, our police were in a dire situation; they had an old analogue system for which they could not even buy new spare parts. The previous government left the police in that position. I am told that WA Police did make application to the previous government to put in place a new regional radio network system, which would have been a digital system, but as I understand it, that plea fell on deaf ears—as did those in so many other areas of essential services in Western Australia. There were a lot of interjections earlier when the Minister for Regional Development made his brief ministerial statement. Quite frankly, I am surprised there are not more interjections now. I am not inviting them, but I am surprised. What went through my mind was that this was guilt on behalf of the Labor Party in relation to the fact that it did nothing — Mr J.N. Hyde : What did you do? It’s been two years. You’re the government! What are you going to do? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are spending $80 million on the emergency regional radio network. That is what we are doing! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where is it? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is happening over the next three years, as the member will see in the budget papers. I have to say that we get moronic remarks from a moronic member who really does not listen. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Girrawheen is keeping very quiet now because she knows for a fact that the police applied to the previous government to have their regional radio network installed as a digital system that would cover the whole of Western Australia. That is what they needed for community safety. Apart from the police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority together with the Department of Corrective Services were looking at a communications system. I said to FESA, the police and Corrective Services, through the Department of the Attorney General, that it was stupid of us to have three different systems; that we needed one major system; and that all of these communications for the whole of WA needed to come through one pylon, wherever that might be with economies of scale and so on. That is what is taking place. We are putting pylons throughout the whole of WA, apart from mobile phone coverage, which will be very good. In the past, under the previous government, the police had to use a tow truck operator’s two-way radio to communicate messages and get various responses. This will not happen in the future because this government is serious about not only the safety of our police officers who have to travel in these very remote and regional areas, but also the safety of the public. That is our number one priority. We are doing what the previous government only ever said it was “gunna” do—like so many other things. We are therefore coming up with the goods, unlike the previous government that left us empty-handed.
There were a lot of interjections earlier when the Minister for Regional Development made his brief ministerial statement. Quite frankly, I am surprised there are not more interjections now. I am not inviting them, but I am surprised. What went through my mind was that this was guilt on behalf of the Labor Party in relation to the fact that it did nothing — Mr J.N. Hyde : What did you do? It’s been two years. You’re the government! What are you going to do? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are spending $80 million on the emergency regional radio network. That is what we are doing! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where is it? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is happening over the next three years, as the member will see in the budget papers. I have to say that we get moronic remarks from a moronic member who really does not listen. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Girrawheen is keeping very quiet now because she knows for a fact that the police applied to the previous government to have their regional radio network installed as a digital system that would cover the whole of Western Australia. That is what they needed for community safety. Apart from the police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority together with the Department of Corrective Services were looking at a communications system. I said to FESA, the police and Corrective Services, through the Department of the Attorney General, that it was stupid of us to have three different systems; that we needed one major system; and that all of these communications for the whole of WA needed to come through one pylon, wherever that might be with economies of scale and so on. That is what is taking place. We are putting pylons throughout the whole of WA, apart from mobile phone coverage, which will be very good. In the past, under the previous government, the police had to use a tow truck operator’s two-way radio to communicate messages and get various responses. This will not happen in the future because this government is serious about not only the safety of our police officers who have to travel in these very remote and regional areas, but also the safety of the public. That is our number one priority. We are doing what the previous government only ever said it was “gunna” do—like so many other things. We are therefore coming up with the goods, unlike the previous government that left us empty-handed.
Mr J.N. Hyde : What did you do? It’s been two years. You’re the government! What are you going to do? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are spending $80 million on the emergency regional radio network. That is what we are doing! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where is it? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is happening over the next three years, as the member will see in the budget papers. I have to say that we get moronic remarks from a moronic member who really does not listen. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Girrawheen is keeping very quiet now because she knows for a fact that the police applied to the previous government to have their regional radio network installed as a digital system that would cover the whole of Western Australia. That is what they needed for community safety. Apart from the police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority together with the Department of Corrective Services were looking at a communications system. I said to FESA, the police and Corrective Services, through the Department of the Attorney General, that it was stupid of us to have three different systems; that we needed one major system; and that all of these communications for the whole of WA needed to come through one pylon, wherever that might be with economies of scale and so on. That is what is taking place. We are putting pylons throughout the whole of WA, apart from mobile phone coverage, which will be very good. In the past, under the previous government, the police had to use a tow truck operator’s two-way radio to communicate messages and get various responses. This will not happen in the future because this government is serious about not only the safety of our police officers who have to travel in these very remote and regional areas, but also the safety of the public. That is our number one priority. We are doing what the previous government only ever said it was “gunna” do—like so many other things. We are therefore coming up with the goods, unlike the previous government that left us empty-handed.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are spending $80 million on the emergency regional radio network. That is what we are doing! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where is it? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is happening over the next three years, as the member will see in the budget papers. I have to say that we get moronic remarks from a moronic member who really does not listen. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Girrawheen is keeping very quiet now because she knows for a fact that the police applied to the previous government to have their regional radio network installed as a digital system that would cover the whole of Western Australia. That is what they needed for community safety. Apart from the police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority together with the Department of Corrective Services were looking at a communications system. I said to FESA, the police and Corrective Services, through the Department of the Attorney General, that it was stupid of us to have three different systems; that we needed one major system; and that all of these communications for the whole of WA needed to come through one pylon, wherever that might be with economies of scale and so on. That is what is taking place. We are putting pylons throughout the whole of WA, apart from mobile phone coverage, which will be very good. In the past, under the previous government, the police had to use a tow truck operator’s two-way radio to communicate messages and get various responses. This will not happen in the future because this government is serious about not only the safety of our police officers who have to travel in these very remote and regional areas, but also the safety of the public. That is our number one priority. We are doing what the previous government only ever said it was “gunna” do—like so many other things. We are therefore coming up with the goods, unlike the previous government that left us empty-handed.
Mr J.N. Hyde : Where is it? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is happening over the next three years, as the member will see in the budget papers. I have to say that we get moronic remarks from a moronic member who really does not listen. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Girrawheen is keeping very quiet now because she knows for a fact that the police applied to the previous government to have their regional radio network installed as a digital system that would cover the whole of Western Australia. That is what they needed for community safety. Apart from the police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority together with the Department of Corrective Services were looking at a communications system. I said to FESA, the police and Corrective Services, through the Department of the Attorney General, that it was stupid of us to have three different systems; that we needed one major system; and that all of these communications for the whole of WA needed to come through one pylon, wherever that might be with economies of scale and so on. That is what is taking place. We are putting pylons throughout the whole of WA, apart from mobile phone coverage, which will be very good. In the past, under the previous government, the police had to use a tow truck operator’s two-way radio to communicate messages and get various responses. This will not happen in the future because this government is serious about not only the safety of our police officers who have to travel in these very remote and regional areas, but also the safety of the public. That is our number one priority. We are doing what the previous government only ever said it was “gunna” do—like so many other things. We are therefore coming up with the goods, unlike the previous government that left us empty-handed.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is happening over the next three years, as the member will see in the budget papers. I have to say that we get moronic remarks from a moronic member who really does not listen. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Girrawheen is keeping very quiet now because she knows for a fact that the police applied to the previous government to have their regional radio network installed as a digital system that would cover the whole of Western Australia. That is what they needed for community safety. Apart from the police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority together with the Department of Corrective Services were looking at a communications system. I said to FESA, the police and Corrective Services, through the Department of the Attorney General, that it was stupid of us to have three different systems; that we needed one major system; and that all of these communications for the whole of WA needed to come through one pylon, wherever that might be with economies of scale and so on. That is what is taking place. We are putting pylons throughout the whole of WA, apart from mobile phone coverage, which will be very good. In the past, under the previous government, the police had to use a tow truck operator’s two-way radio to communicate messages and get various responses. This will not happen in the future because this government is serious about not only the safety of our police officers who have to travel in these very remote and regional areas, but also the safety of the public. That is our number one priority. We are doing what the previous government only ever said it was “gunna” do—like so many other things. We are therefore coming up with the goods, unlike the previous government that left us empty-handed.
I have to say that we get moronic remarks from a moronic member who really does not listen. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Girrawheen is keeping very quiet now because she knows for a fact that the police applied to the previous government to have their regional radio network installed as a digital system that would cover the whole of Western Australia. That is what they needed for community safety. Apart from the police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority together with the Department of Corrective Services were looking at a communications system. I said to FESA, the police and Corrective Services, through the Department of the Attorney General, that it was stupid of us to have three different systems; that we needed one major system; and that all of these communications for the whole of WA needed to come through one pylon, wherever that might be with economies of scale and so on. That is what is taking place. We are putting pylons throughout the whole of WA, apart from mobile phone coverage, which will be very good. In the past, under the previous government, the police had to use a tow truck operator’s two-way radio to communicate messages and get various responses. This will not happen in the future because this government is serious about not only the safety of our police officers who have to travel in these very remote and regional areas, but also the safety of the public. That is our number one priority. We are doing what the previous government only ever said it was “gunna” do—like so many other things. We are therefore coming up with the goods, unlike the previous government that left us empty-handed.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Girrawheen is keeping very quiet now because she knows for a fact that the police applied to the previous government to have their regional radio network installed as a digital system that would cover the whole of Western Australia. That is what they needed for community safety. Apart from the police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority together with the Department of Corrective Services were looking at a communications system. I said to FESA, the police and Corrective Services, through the Department of the Attorney General, that it was stupid of us to have three different systems; that we needed one major system; and that all of these communications for the whole of WA needed to come through one pylon, wherever that might be with economies of scale and so on. That is what is taking place. We are putting pylons throughout the whole of WA, apart from mobile phone coverage, which will be very good. In the past, under the previous government, the police had to use a tow truck operator’s two-way radio to communicate messages and get various responses. This will not happen in the future because this government is serious about not only the safety of our police officers who have to travel in these very remote and regional areas, but also the safety of the public. That is our number one priority. We are doing what the previous government only ever said it was “gunna” do—like so many other things. We are therefore coming up with the goods, unlike the previous government that left us empty-handed.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Girrawheen is keeping very quiet now because she knows for a fact that the police applied to the previous government to have their regional radio network installed as a digital system that would cover the whole of Western Australia. That is what they needed for community safety. Apart from the police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority together with the Department of Corrective Services were looking at a communications system. I said to FESA, the police and Corrective Services, through the Department of the Attorney General, that it was stupid of us to have three different systems; that we needed one major system; and that all of these communications for the whole of WA needed to come through one pylon, wherever that might be with economies of scale and so on. That is what is taking place. We are putting pylons throughout the whole of WA, apart from mobile phone coverage, which will be very good. In the past, under the previous government, the police had to use a tow truck operator’s two-way radio to communicate messages and get various responses. This will not happen in the future because this government is serious about not only the safety of our police officers who have to travel in these very remote and regional areas, but also the safety of the public. That is our number one priority. We are doing what the previous government only ever said it was “gunna” do—like so many other things. We are therefore coming up with the goods, unlike the previous government that left us empty-handed.
As a former officer-in-charge of regional police stations, I understand the importance of emergency communication support, particularly during critical incidents. Infrastructure has not kept abreast of technology over the past eight years. I understand that an announcement was made at the recent regional cabinet meeting about the funding of the emergency services communication network. Will the minister please advise the house—I could not quite hear before when the member for Central Wheatbelt was on his feet because of the rabble on the other side—what this government is doing to support our police and emergency service workers throughout regional Western Australia? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I am delighted to refer to what the Minister for Regional Development mentioned earlier in his brief ministerial statement. It is of course great news, because this government is funding $120 million, with, as members will have heard, $40 million predominantly for mobile coverage. The lion’s share of that $120 million, or $80 million, is for emergency services. Police of course play a very significant role in emergency services and are pre-eminent in dealing with crises and crimes and the various other emergencies that take place in the regional areas. That $80 million is essential if we are to have that communication system in place. I have to say that when we came to government, our police were in a dire situation; they had an old analogue system for which they could not even buy new spare parts. The previous government left the police in that position. I am told that WA Police did make application to the previous government to put in place a new regional radio network system, which would have been a digital system, but as I understand it, that plea fell on deaf ears—as did those in so many other areas of essential services in Western Australia. There were a lot of interjections earlier when the Minister for Regional Development made his brief ministerial statement. Quite frankly, I am surprised there are not more interjections now. I am not inviting them, but I am surprised. What went through my mind was that this was guilt on behalf of the Labor Party in relation to the fact that it did nothing — Mr J.N. Hyde : What did you do? It’s been two years. You’re the government! What are you going to do? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are spending $80 million on the emergency regional radio network. That is what we are doing! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where is it? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is happening over the next three years, as the member will see in the budget papers. I have to say that we get moronic remarks from a moronic member who really does not listen. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Girrawheen is keeping very quiet now because she knows for a fact that the police applied to the previous government to have their regional radio network installed as a digital system that would cover the whole of Western Australia. That is what they needed for community safety. Apart from the police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority together with the Department of Corrective Services were looking at a communications system. I said to FESA, the police and Corrective Services, through the Department of the Attorney General, that it was stupid of us to have three different systems; that we needed one major system; and that all of these communications for the whole of WA needed to come through one pylon, wherever that might be with economies of scale and so on. That is what is taking place. We are putting pylons throughout the whole of WA, apart from mobile phone coverage, which will be very good. In the past, under the previous government, the police had to use a tow truck operator’s two-way radio to communicate messages and get various responses. This will not happen in the future because this government is serious about not only the safety of our police officers who have to travel in these very remote and regional areas, but also the safety of the public. That is our number one priority. We are doing what the previous government only ever said it was “gunna” do—like so many other things. We are therefore coming up with the goods, unlike the previous government that left us empty-handed.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I am delighted to refer to what the Minister for Regional Development mentioned earlier in his brief ministerial statement. It is of course great news, because this government is funding $120 million, with, as members will have heard, $40 million predominantly for mobile coverage. The lion’s share of that $120 million, or $80 million, is for emergency services. Police of course play a very significant role in emergency services and are pre-eminent in dealing with crises and crimes and the various other emergencies that take place in the regional areas. That $80 million is essential if we are to have that communication system in place. I have to say that when we came to government, our police were in a dire situation; they had an old analogue system for which they could not even buy new spare parts. The previous government left the police in that position. I am told that WA Police did make application to the previous government to put in place a new regional radio network system, which would have been a digital system, but as I understand it, that plea fell on deaf ears—as did those in so many other areas of essential services in Western Australia. There were a lot of interjections earlier when the Minister for Regional Development made his brief ministerial statement. Quite frankly, I am surprised there are not more interjections now. I am not inviting them, but I am surprised. What went through my mind was that this was guilt on behalf of the Labor Party in relation to the fact that it did nothing — Mr J.N. Hyde : What did you do? It’s been two years. You’re the government! What are you going to do? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are spending $80 million on the emergency regional radio network. That is what we are doing! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where is it? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is happening over the next three years, as the member will see in the budget papers. I have to say that we get moronic remarks from a moronic member who really does not listen. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Girrawheen is keeping very quiet now because she knows for a fact that the police applied to the previous government to have their regional radio network installed as a digital system that would cover the whole of Western Australia. That is what they needed for community safety. Apart from the police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority together with the Department of Corrective Services were looking at a communications system. I said to FESA, the police and Corrective Services, through the Department of the Attorney General, that it was stupid of us to have three different systems; that we needed one major system; and that all of these communications for the whole of WA needed to come through one pylon, wherever that might be with economies of scale and so on. That is what is taking place. We are putting pylons throughout the whole of WA, apart from mobile phone coverage, which will be very good. In the past, under the previous government, the police had to use a tow truck operator’s two-way radio to communicate messages and get various responses. This will not happen in the future because this government is serious about not only the safety of our police officers who have to travel in these very remote and regional areas, but also the safety of the public. That is our number one priority. We are doing what the previous government only ever said it was “gunna” do—like so many other things. We are therefore coming up with the goods, unlike the previous government that left us empty-handed.
I am delighted to refer to what the Minister for Regional Development mentioned earlier in his brief ministerial statement. It is of course great news, because this government is funding $120 million, with, as members will have heard, $40 million predominantly for mobile coverage. The lion’s share of that $120 million, or $80 million, is for emergency services. Police of course play a very significant role in emergency services and are pre-eminent in dealing with crises and crimes and the various other emergencies that take place in the regional areas. That $80 million is essential if we are to have that communication system in place. I have to say that when we came to government, our police were in a dire situation; they had an old analogue system for which they could not even buy new spare parts. The previous government left the police in that position. I am told that WA Police did make application to the previous government to put in place a new regional radio network system, which would have been a digital system, but as I understand it, that plea fell on deaf ears—as did those in so many other areas of essential services in Western Australia. There were a lot of interjections earlier when the Minister for Regional Development made his brief ministerial statement. Quite frankly, I am surprised there are not more interjections now. I am not inviting them, but I am surprised. What went through my mind was that this was guilt on behalf of the Labor Party in relation to the fact that it did nothing — Mr J.N. Hyde : What did you do? It’s been two years. You’re the government! What are you going to do? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are spending $80 million on the emergency regional radio network. That is what we are doing! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where is it? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is happening over the next three years, as the member will see in the budget papers. I have to say that we get moronic remarks from a moronic member who really does not listen. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Girrawheen is keeping very quiet now because she knows for a fact that the police applied to the previous government to have their regional radio network installed as a digital system that would cover the whole of Western Australia. That is what they needed for community safety. Apart from the police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority together with the Department of Corrective Services were looking at a communications system. I said to FESA, the police and Corrective Services, through the Department of the Attorney General, that it was stupid of us to have three different systems; that we needed one major system; and that all of these communications for the whole of WA needed to come through one pylon, wherever that might be with economies of scale and so on. That is what is taking place. We are putting pylons throughout the whole of WA, apart from mobile phone coverage, which will be very good. In the past, under the previous government, the police had to use a tow truck operator’s two-way radio to communicate messages and get various responses. This will not happen in the future because this government is serious about not only the safety of our police officers who have to travel in these very remote and regional areas, but also the safety of the public. That is our number one priority. We are doing what the previous government only ever said it was “gunna” do—like so many other things. We are therefore coming up with the goods, unlike the previous government that left us empty-handed.
There were a lot of interjections earlier when the Minister for Regional Development made his brief ministerial statement. Quite frankly, I am surprised there are not more interjections now. I am not inviting them, but I am surprised. What went through my mind was that this was guilt on behalf of the Labor Party in relation to the fact that it did nothing — Mr J.N. Hyde : What did you do? It’s been two years. You’re the government! What are you going to do? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are spending $80 million on the emergency regional radio network. That is what we are doing! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where is it? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is happening over the next three years, as the member will see in the budget papers. I have to say that we get moronic remarks from a moronic member who really does not listen. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Girrawheen is keeping very quiet now because she knows for a fact that the police applied to the previous government to have their regional radio network installed as a digital system that would cover the whole of Western Australia. That is what they needed for community safety. Apart from the police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority together with the Department of Corrective Services were looking at a communications system. I said to FESA, the police and Corrective Services, through the Department of the Attorney General, that it was stupid of us to have three different systems; that we needed one major system; and that all of these communications for the whole of WA needed to come through one pylon, wherever that might be with economies of scale and so on. That is what is taking place. We are putting pylons throughout the whole of WA, apart from mobile phone coverage, which will be very good. In the past, under the previous government, the police had to use a tow truck operator’s two-way radio to communicate messages and get various responses. This will not happen in the future because this government is serious about not only the safety of our police officers who have to travel in these very remote and regional areas, but also the safety of the public. That is our number one priority. We are doing what the previous government only ever said it was “gunna” do—like so many other things. We are therefore coming up with the goods, unlike the previous government that left us empty-handed.
Mr J.N. Hyde : What did you do? It’s been two years. You’re the government! What are you going to do? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are spending $80 million on the emergency regional radio network. That is what we are doing! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where is it? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is happening over the next three years, as the member will see in the budget papers. I have to say that we get moronic remarks from a moronic member who really does not listen. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Girrawheen is keeping very quiet now because she knows for a fact that the police applied to the previous government to have their regional radio network installed as a digital system that would cover the whole of Western Australia. That is what they needed for community safety. Apart from the police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority together with the Department of Corrective Services were looking at a communications system. I said to FESA, the police and Corrective Services, through the Department of the Attorney General, that it was stupid of us to have three different systems; that we needed one major system; and that all of these communications for the whole of WA needed to come through one pylon, wherever that might be with economies of scale and so on. That is what is taking place. We are putting pylons throughout the whole of WA, apart from mobile phone coverage, which will be very good. In the past, under the previous government, the police had to use a tow truck operator’s two-way radio to communicate messages and get various responses. This will not happen in the future because this government is serious about not only the safety of our police officers who have to travel in these very remote and regional areas, but also the safety of the public. That is our number one priority. We are doing what the previous government only ever said it was “gunna” do—like so many other things. We are therefore coming up with the goods, unlike the previous government that left us empty-handed.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are spending $80 million on the emergency regional radio network. That is what we are doing! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where is it? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is happening over the next three years, as the member will see in the budget papers. I have to say that we get moronic remarks from a moronic member who really does not listen. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Girrawheen is keeping very quiet now because she knows for a fact that the police applied to the previous government to have their regional radio network installed as a digital system that would cover the whole of Western Australia. That is what they needed for community safety. Apart from the police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority together with the Department of Corrective Services were looking at a communications system. I said to FESA, the police and Corrective Services, through the Department of the Attorney General, that it was stupid of us to have three different systems; that we needed one major system; and that all of these communications for the whole of WA needed to come through one pylon, wherever that might be with economies of scale and so on. That is what is taking place. We are putting pylons throughout the whole of WA, apart from mobile phone coverage, which will be very good. In the past, under the previous government, the police had to use a tow truck operator’s two-way radio to communicate messages and get various responses. This will not happen in the future because this government is serious about not only the safety of our police officers who have to travel in these very remote and regional areas, but also the safety of the public. That is our number one priority. We are doing what the previous government only ever said it was “gunna” do—like so many other things. We are therefore coming up with the goods, unlike the previous government that left us empty-handed.
Mr J.N. Hyde : Where is it? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is happening over the next three years, as the member will see in the budget papers. I have to say that we get moronic remarks from a moronic member who really does not listen. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Girrawheen is keeping very quiet now because she knows for a fact that the police applied to the previous government to have their regional radio network installed as a digital system that would cover the whole of Western Australia. That is what they needed for community safety. Apart from the police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority together with the Department of Corrective Services were looking at a communications system. I said to FESA, the police and Corrective Services, through the Department of the Attorney General, that it was stupid of us to have three different systems; that we needed one major system; and that all of these communications for the whole of WA needed to come through one pylon, wherever that might be with economies of scale and so on. That is what is taking place. We are putting pylons throughout the whole of WA, apart from mobile phone coverage, which will be very good. In the past, under the previous government, the police had to use a tow truck operator’s two-way radio to communicate messages and get various responses. This will not happen in the future because this government is serious about not only the safety of our police officers who have to travel in these very remote and regional areas, but also the safety of the public. That is our number one priority. We are doing what the previous government only ever said it was “gunna” do—like so many other things. We are therefore coming up with the goods, unlike the previous government that left us empty-handed.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is happening over the next three years, as the member will see in the budget papers. I have to say that we get moronic remarks from a moronic member who really does not listen. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Girrawheen is keeping very quiet now because she knows for a fact that the police applied to the previous government to have their regional radio network installed as a digital system that would cover the whole of Western Australia. That is what they needed for community safety. Apart from the police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority together with the Department of Corrective Services were looking at a communications system. I said to FESA, the police and Corrective Services, through the Department of the Attorney General, that it was stupid of us to have three different systems; that we needed one major system; and that all of these communications for the whole of WA needed to come through one pylon, wherever that might be with economies of scale and so on. That is what is taking place. We are putting pylons throughout the whole of WA, apart from mobile phone coverage, which will be very good. In the past, under the previous government, the police had to use a tow truck operator’s two-way radio to communicate messages and get various responses. This will not happen in the future because this government is serious about not only the safety of our police officers who have to travel in these very remote and regional areas, but also the safety of the public. That is our number one priority. We are doing what the previous government only ever said it was “gunna” do—like so many other things. We are therefore coming up with the goods, unlike the previous government that left us empty-handed.
I have to say that we get moronic remarks from a moronic member who really does not listen. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Girrawheen is keeping very quiet now because she knows for a fact that the police applied to the previous government to have their regional radio network installed as a digital system that would cover the whole of Western Australia. That is what they needed for community safety. Apart from the police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority together with the Department of Corrective Services were looking at a communications system. I said to FESA, the police and Corrective Services, through the Department of the Attorney General, that it was stupid of us to have three different systems; that we needed one major system; and that all of these communications for the whole of WA needed to come through one pylon, wherever that might be with economies of scale and so on. That is what is taking place. We are putting pylons throughout the whole of WA, apart from mobile phone coverage, which will be very good. In the past, under the previous government, the police had to use a tow truck operator’s two-way radio to communicate messages and get various responses. This will not happen in the future because this government is serious about not only the safety of our police officers who have to travel in these very remote and regional areas, but also the safety of the public. That is our number one priority. We are doing what the previous government only ever said it was “gunna” do—like so many other things. We are therefore coming up with the goods, unlike the previous government that left us empty-handed.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Girrawheen is keeping very quiet now because she knows for a fact that the police applied to the previous government to have their regional radio network installed as a digital system that would cover the whole of Western Australia. That is what they needed for community safety. Apart from the police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority together with the Department of Corrective Services were looking at a communications system. I said to FESA, the police and Corrective Services, through the Department of the Attorney General, that it was stupid of us to have three different systems; that we needed one major system; and that all of these communications for the whole of WA needed to come through one pylon, wherever that might be with economies of scale and so on. That is what is taking place. We are putting pylons throughout the whole of WA, apart from mobile phone coverage, which will be very good. In the past, under the previous government, the police had to use a tow truck operator’s two-way radio to communicate messages and get various responses. This will not happen in the future because this government is serious about not only the safety of our police officers who have to travel in these very remote and regional areas, but also the safety of the public. That is our number one priority. We are doing what the previous government only ever said it was “gunna” do—like so many other things. We are therefore coming up with the goods, unlike the previous government that left us empty-handed.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Girrawheen is keeping very quiet now because she knows for a fact that the police applied to the previous government to have their regional radio network installed as a digital system that would cover the whole of Western Australia. That is what they needed for community safety. Apart from the police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority together with the Department of Corrective Services were looking at a communications system. I said to FESA, the police and Corrective Services, through the Department of the Attorney General, that it was stupid of us to have three different systems; that we needed one major system; and that all of these communications for the whole of WA needed to come through one pylon, wherever that might be with economies of scale and so on. That is what is taking place. We are putting pylons throughout the whole of WA, apart from mobile phone coverage, which will be very good. In the past, under the previous government, the police had to use a tow truck operator’s two-way radio to communicate messages and get various responses. This will not happen in the future because this government is serious about not only the safety of our police officers who have to travel in these very remote and regional areas, but also the safety of the public. That is our number one priority. We are doing what the previous government only ever said it was “gunna” do—like so many other things. We are therefore coming up with the goods, unlike the previous government that left us empty-handed.
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