❓ Mr. Johnson questions the soaring police resignations under the current government, while Mr. Kobelke refutes the claim, highlighting the increase in police officers employed and deployed to the front line.
AnsweredQoN 396Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
POLICE OFFICERS - RESIGNATIONS
The government has a great liking for graphs and things like that, so I will show this one on police resignations. According to the data obtained by the opposition - Mr A.P. O’Gorman : When are you going to behave yourself? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Maybe the member for Joondalup should behave himself, or he may get thrown out. My question relates to the data shown on the graph I am holding on police resignations. According to the data obtained by the opposition, the number of police resignations has soared from 108 in the year ending June 2004 to 318 in the year ending June 2007. (1) Why are police resignations soaring under the present government? (2) Will the minister concede that this is just one more example of the government’s failure to keep police on our streets? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
The government has a great liking for graphs and things like that, so I will show this one on police resignations. According to the data obtained by the opposition - Mr A.P. O’Gorman : When are you going to behave yourself? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Maybe the member for Joondalup should behave himself, or he may get thrown out. My question relates to the data shown on the graph I am holding on police resignations. According to the data obtained by the opposition, the number of police resignations has soared from 108 in the year ending June 2004 to 318 in the year ending June 2007. (1) Why are police resignations soaring under the present government? (2) Will the minister concede that this is just one more example of the government’s failure to keep police on our streets? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) The assertion in the member’s question is absolutely wrong. In the last four years of its term, the previous government did not employ one additional police officer. Under this government, in just over six years, an additional 374 officers have been employed, above what the previous government handed over when it went out of power. That is not even half the story, because in addition to that figure, under the Frontline First policy, 400 officers have been taken out of desk jobs and behind-the-scenes work and put out on the front line. On that basis, there are now nearly 800 more police officers on the front line than there were under the previous government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Murray to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The question shows that the members of this Liberal opposition are all about spin. They spin, they spin and they spin. They take statistics and they abuse them - they bias them; they use bits of them. The question to the Premier earlier about the number of police officers took no account of the changed organisational structure of the WA Police. The opposition asked questions relating to particular regions. However, of course, there have been changes to the operational structure of the police. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
Mr A.P. O’Gorman : When are you going to behave yourself? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Maybe the member for Joondalup should behave himself, or he may get thrown out. My question relates to the data shown on the graph I am holding on police resignations. According to the data obtained by the opposition, the number of police resignations has soared from 108 in the year ending June 2004 to 318 in the year ending June 2007. (1) Why are police resignations soaring under the present government? (2) Will the minister concede that this is just one more example of the government’s failure to keep police on our streets? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) The assertion in the member’s question is absolutely wrong. In the last four years of its term, the previous government did not employ one additional police officer. Under this government, in just over six years, an additional 374 officers have been employed, above what the previous government handed over when it went out of power. That is not even half the story, because in addition to that figure, under the Frontline First policy, 400 officers have been taken out of desk jobs and behind-the-scenes work and put out on the front line. On that basis, there are now nearly 800 more police officers on the front line than there were under the previous government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Murray to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The question shows that the members of this Liberal opposition are all about spin. They spin, they spin and they spin. They take statistics and they abuse them - they bias them; they use bits of them. The question to the Premier earlier about the number of police officers took no account of the changed organisational structure of the WA Police. The opposition asked questions relating to particular regions. However, of course, there have been changes to the operational structure of the police. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Maybe the member for Joondalup should behave himself, or he may get thrown out. My question relates to the data shown on the graph I am holding on police resignations. According to the data obtained by the opposition, the number of police resignations has soared from 108 in the year ending June 2004 to 318 in the year ending June 2007. (1) Why are police resignations soaring under the present government? (2) Will the minister concede that this is just one more example of the government’s failure to keep police on our streets? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) The assertion in the member’s question is absolutely wrong. In the last four years of its term, the previous government did not employ one additional police officer. Under this government, in just over six years, an additional 374 officers have been employed, above what the previous government handed over when it went out of power. That is not even half the story, because in addition to that figure, under the Frontline First policy, 400 officers have been taken out of desk jobs and behind-the-scenes work and put out on the front line. On that basis, there are now nearly 800 more police officers on the front line than there were under the previous government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Murray to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The question shows that the members of this Liberal opposition are all about spin. They spin, they spin and they spin. They take statistics and they abuse them - they bias them; they use bits of them. The question to the Premier earlier about the number of police officers took no account of the changed organisational structure of the WA Police. The opposition asked questions relating to particular regions. However, of course, there have been changes to the operational structure of the police. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
My question relates to the data shown on the graph I am holding on police resignations. According to the data obtained by the opposition, the number of police resignations has soared from 108 in the year ending June 2004 to 318 in the year ending June 2007. (1) Why are police resignations soaring under the present government? (2) Will the minister concede that this is just one more example of the government’s failure to keep police on our streets? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) The assertion in the member’s question is absolutely wrong. In the last four years of its term, the previous government did not employ one additional police officer. Under this government, in just over six years, an additional 374 officers have been employed, above what the previous government handed over when it went out of power. That is not even half the story, because in addition to that figure, under the Frontline First policy, 400 officers have been taken out of desk jobs and behind-the-scenes work and put out on the front line. On that basis, there are now nearly 800 more police officers on the front line than there were under the previous government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Murray to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The question shows that the members of this Liberal opposition are all about spin. They spin, they spin and they spin. They take statistics and they abuse them - they bias them; they use bits of them. The question to the Premier earlier about the number of police officers took no account of the changed organisational structure of the WA Police. The opposition asked questions relating to particular regions. However, of course, there have been changes to the operational structure of the police. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
(1) Why are police resignations soaring under the present government? (2) Will the minister concede that this is just one more example of the government’s failure to keep police on our streets? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) The assertion in the member’s question is absolutely wrong. In the last four years of its term, the previous government did not employ one additional police officer. Under this government, in just over six years, an additional 374 officers have been employed, above what the previous government handed over when it went out of power. That is not even half the story, because in addition to that figure, under the Frontline First policy, 400 officers have been taken out of desk jobs and behind-the-scenes work and put out on the front line. On that basis, there are now nearly 800 more police officers on the front line than there were under the previous government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Murray to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The question shows that the members of this Liberal opposition are all about spin. They spin, they spin and they spin. They take statistics and they abuse them - they bias them; they use bits of them. The question to the Premier earlier about the number of police officers took no account of the changed organisational structure of the WA Police. The opposition asked questions relating to particular regions. However, of course, there have been changes to the operational structure of the police. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
(2) Will the minister concede that this is just one more example of the government’s failure to keep police on our streets? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) The assertion in the member’s question is absolutely wrong. In the last four years of its term, the previous government did not employ one additional police officer. Under this government, in just over six years, an additional 374 officers have been employed, above what the previous government handed over when it went out of power. That is not even half the story, because in addition to that figure, under the Frontline First policy, 400 officers have been taken out of desk jobs and behind-the-scenes work and put out on the front line. On that basis, there are now nearly 800 more police officers on the front line than there were under the previous government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Murray to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The question shows that the members of this Liberal opposition are all about spin. They spin, they spin and they spin. They take statistics and they abuse them - they bias them; they use bits of them. The question to the Premier earlier about the number of police officers took no account of the changed organisational structure of the WA Police. The opposition asked questions relating to particular regions. However, of course, there have been changes to the operational structure of the police. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) The assertion in the member’s question is absolutely wrong. In the last four years of its term, the previous government did not employ one additional police officer. Under this government, in just over six years, an additional 374 officers have been employed, above what the previous government handed over when it went out of power. That is not even half the story, because in addition to that figure, under the Frontline First policy, 400 officers have been taken out of desk jobs and behind-the-scenes work and put out on the front line. On that basis, there are now nearly 800 more police officers on the front line than there were under the previous government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Murray to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The question shows that the members of this Liberal opposition are all about spin. They spin, they spin and they spin. They take statistics and they abuse them - they bias them; they use bits of them. The question to the Premier earlier about the number of police officers took no account of the changed organisational structure of the WA Police. The opposition asked questions relating to particular regions. However, of course, there have been changes to the operational structure of the police. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
(1)-(2) The assertion in the member’s question is absolutely wrong. In the last four years of its term, the previous government did not employ one additional police officer. Under this government, in just over six years, an additional 374 officers have been employed, above what the previous government handed over when it went out of power. That is not even half the story, because in addition to that figure, under the Frontline First policy, 400 officers have been taken out of desk jobs and behind-the-scenes work and put out on the front line. On that basis, there are now nearly 800 more police officers on the front line than there were under the previous government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Murray to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The question shows that the members of this Liberal opposition are all about spin. They spin, they spin and they spin. They take statistics and they abuse them - they bias them; they use bits of them. The question to the Premier earlier about the number of police officers took no account of the changed organisational structure of the WA Police. The opposition asked questions relating to particular regions. However, of course, there have been changes to the operational structure of the police. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Murray to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The question shows that the members of this Liberal opposition are all about spin. They spin, they spin and they spin. They take statistics and they abuse them - they bias them; they use bits of them. The question to the Premier earlier about the number of police officers took no account of the changed organisational structure of the WA Police. The opposition asked questions relating to particular regions. However, of course, there have been changes to the operational structure of the police. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Murray to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The question shows that the members of this Liberal opposition are all about spin. They spin, they spin and they spin. They take statistics and they abuse them - they bias them; they use bits of them. The question to the Premier earlier about the number of police officers took no account of the changed organisational structure of the WA Police. The opposition asked questions relating to particular regions. However, of course, there have been changes to the operational structure of the police. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The question shows that the members of this Liberal opposition are all about spin. They spin, they spin and they spin. They take statistics and they abuse them - they bias them; they use bits of them. The question to the Premier earlier about the number of police officers took no account of the changed organisational structure of the WA Police. The opposition asked questions relating to particular regions. However, of course, there have been changes to the operational structure of the police. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
Mr A.P. O’Gorman : When are you going to behave yourself? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Maybe the member for Joondalup should behave himself, or he may get thrown out. My question relates to the data shown on the graph I am holding on police resignations. According to the data obtained by the opposition, the number of police resignations has soared from 108 in the year ending June 2004 to 318 in the year ending June 2007. (1) Why are police resignations soaring under the present government? (2) Will the minister concede that this is just one more example of the government’s failure to keep police on our streets? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) The assertion in the member’s question is absolutely wrong. In the last four years of its term, the previous government did not employ one additional police officer. Under this government, in just over six years, an additional 374 officers have been employed, above what the previous government handed over when it went out of power. That is not even half the story, because in addition to that figure, under the Frontline First policy, 400 officers have been taken out of desk jobs and behind-the-scenes work and put out on the front line. On that basis, there are now nearly 800 more police officers on the front line than there were under the previous government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Murray to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The question shows that the members of this Liberal opposition are all about spin. They spin, they spin and they spin. They take statistics and they abuse them - they bias them; they use bits of them. The question to the Premier earlier about the number of police officers took no account of the changed organisational structure of the WA Police. The opposition asked questions relating to particular regions. However, of course, there have been changes to the operational structure of the police. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Maybe the member for Joondalup should behave himself, or he may get thrown out. My question relates to the data shown on the graph I am holding on police resignations. According to the data obtained by the opposition, the number of police resignations has soared from 108 in the year ending June 2004 to 318 in the year ending June 2007. (1) Why are police resignations soaring under the present government? (2) Will the minister concede that this is just one more example of the government’s failure to keep police on our streets? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) The assertion in the member’s question is absolutely wrong. In the last four years of its term, the previous government did not employ one additional police officer. Under this government, in just over six years, an additional 374 officers have been employed, above what the previous government handed over when it went out of power. That is not even half the story, because in addition to that figure, under the Frontline First policy, 400 officers have been taken out of desk jobs and behind-the-scenes work and put out on the front line. On that basis, there are now nearly 800 more police officers on the front line than there were under the previous government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Murray to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The question shows that the members of this Liberal opposition are all about spin. They spin, they spin and they spin. They take statistics and they abuse them - they bias them; they use bits of them. The question to the Premier earlier about the number of police officers took no account of the changed organisational structure of the WA Police. The opposition asked questions relating to particular regions. However, of course, there have been changes to the operational structure of the police. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
My question relates to the data shown on the graph I am holding on police resignations. According to the data obtained by the opposition, the number of police resignations has soared from 108 in the year ending June 2004 to 318 in the year ending June 2007. (1) Why are police resignations soaring under the present government? (2) Will the minister concede that this is just one more example of the government’s failure to keep police on our streets? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) The assertion in the member’s question is absolutely wrong. In the last four years of its term, the previous government did not employ one additional police officer. Under this government, in just over six years, an additional 374 officers have been employed, above what the previous government handed over when it went out of power. That is not even half the story, because in addition to that figure, under the Frontline First policy, 400 officers have been taken out of desk jobs and behind-the-scenes work and put out on the front line. On that basis, there are now nearly 800 more police officers on the front line than there were under the previous government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Murray to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The question shows that the members of this Liberal opposition are all about spin. They spin, they spin and they spin. They take statistics and they abuse them - they bias them; they use bits of them. The question to the Premier earlier about the number of police officers took no account of the changed organisational structure of the WA Police. The opposition asked questions relating to particular regions. However, of course, there have been changes to the operational structure of the police. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
(1) Why are police resignations soaring under the present government? (2) Will the minister concede that this is just one more example of the government’s failure to keep police on our streets? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) The assertion in the member’s question is absolutely wrong. In the last four years of its term, the previous government did not employ one additional police officer. Under this government, in just over six years, an additional 374 officers have been employed, above what the previous government handed over when it went out of power. That is not even half the story, because in addition to that figure, under the Frontline First policy, 400 officers have been taken out of desk jobs and behind-the-scenes work and put out on the front line. On that basis, there are now nearly 800 more police officers on the front line than there were under the previous government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Murray to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The question shows that the members of this Liberal opposition are all about spin. They spin, they spin and they spin. They take statistics and they abuse them - they bias them; they use bits of them. The question to the Premier earlier about the number of police officers took no account of the changed organisational structure of the WA Police. The opposition asked questions relating to particular regions. However, of course, there have been changes to the operational structure of the police. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
(2) Will the minister concede that this is just one more example of the government’s failure to keep police on our streets? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) The assertion in the member’s question is absolutely wrong. In the last four years of its term, the previous government did not employ one additional police officer. Under this government, in just over six years, an additional 374 officers have been employed, above what the previous government handed over when it went out of power. That is not even half the story, because in addition to that figure, under the Frontline First policy, 400 officers have been taken out of desk jobs and behind-the-scenes work and put out on the front line. On that basis, there are now nearly 800 more police officers on the front line than there were under the previous government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Murray to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The question shows that the members of this Liberal opposition are all about spin. They spin, they spin and they spin. They take statistics and they abuse them - they bias them; they use bits of them. The question to the Premier earlier about the number of police officers took no account of the changed organisational structure of the WA Police. The opposition asked questions relating to particular regions. However, of course, there have been changes to the operational structure of the police. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) The assertion in the member’s question is absolutely wrong. In the last four years of its term, the previous government did not employ one additional police officer. Under this government, in just over six years, an additional 374 officers have been employed, above what the previous government handed over when it went out of power. That is not even half the story, because in addition to that figure, under the Frontline First policy, 400 officers have been taken out of desk jobs and behind-the-scenes work and put out on the front line. On that basis, there are now nearly 800 more police officers on the front line than there were under the previous government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Murray to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The question shows that the members of this Liberal opposition are all about spin. They spin, they spin and they spin. They take statistics and they abuse them - they bias them; they use bits of them. The question to the Premier earlier about the number of police officers took no account of the changed organisational structure of the WA Police. The opposition asked questions relating to particular regions. However, of course, there have been changes to the operational structure of the police. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
(1)-(2) The assertion in the member’s question is absolutely wrong. In the last four years of its term, the previous government did not employ one additional police officer. Under this government, in just over six years, an additional 374 officers have been employed, above what the previous government handed over when it went out of power. That is not even half the story, because in addition to that figure, under the Frontline First policy, 400 officers have been taken out of desk jobs and behind-the-scenes work and put out on the front line. On that basis, there are now nearly 800 more police officers on the front line than there were under the previous government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Murray to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The question shows that the members of this Liberal opposition are all about spin. They spin, they spin and they spin. They take statistics and they abuse them - they bias them; they use bits of them. The question to the Premier earlier about the number of police officers took no account of the changed organisational structure of the WA Police. The opposition asked questions relating to particular regions. However, of course, there have been changes to the operational structure of the police. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Murray to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The question shows that the members of this Liberal opposition are all about spin. They spin, they spin and they spin. They take statistics and they abuse them - they bias them; they use bits of them. The question to the Premier earlier about the number of police officers took no account of the changed organisational structure of the WA Police. The opposition asked questions relating to particular regions. However, of course, there have been changes to the operational structure of the police. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the member for Murray to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The question shows that the members of this Liberal opposition are all about spin. They spin, they spin and they spin. They take statistics and they abuse them - they bias them; they use bits of them. The question to the Premier earlier about the number of police officers took no account of the changed organisational structure of the WA Police. The opposition asked questions relating to particular regions. However, of course, there have been changes to the operational structure of the police. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The question shows that the members of this Liberal opposition are all about spin. They spin, they spin and they spin. They take statistics and they abuse them - they bias them; they use bits of them. The question to the Premier earlier about the number of police officers took no account of the changed organisational structure of the WA Police. The opposition asked questions relating to particular regions. However, of course, there have been changes to the operational structure of the police. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Although there are now police in specialised units who do not fit into the regional numbers, the figures I have given are the additional police who are now operational in Western Australia. That is not to say we do not need more police. Of course there is a huge demand for more police. Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
Mr R.F. Johnson : Tell us where they are! Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : These are the figures. The member for Hillarys is well known for his total inability to read statistics. He is absolutely famous for it. He cannot read a set of statistics and reflect the facts behind the numbers. The irrefutable fact is that we clearly have put extra police on the beat. All the opposition does is seek to distort the picture by misusing statistics.
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