❓ Ms. Quirk questions the Minister for Police about declining WA Police call centre response times. The Minister's response is defensive, attributing 'abandoned' calls to people changing their minds and promising adequate resources, but not providing specific measures.
AnsweredQoN 650Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WA POLICE — CALL CENTRE RESPONSE TIMES
My question is to the Minister for Police, but I preface it by saying that I asked a legitimate question about the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in this place three weeks ago, and the minister committed to giving me an answer, and he did not give it to me. The SPEAKER : Member, I want the question! Ms M.M. QUIRK : I refer to the 2010–11 WA Police annual report that was tabled today, and the fact that the number of 131 444 calls that had been abandoned more than doubled; the number of calls to 131 444 answered within the target time of 20 seconds decreased by 25 per cent; and the number of 000 calls answered within target times also decreased. (1) What measures is the minister taking to arrest this downward trend and to improve response times? (2) What does the minister consider to be the reasons for this deterioration of service and response? (3) Does the minister take any responsibility for this serious issue? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
My question is to the Minister for Police, but I preface it by saying that I asked a legitimate question about the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in this place three weeks ago, and the minister committed to giving me an answer, and he did not give it to me. The SPEAKER : Member, I want the question! Ms M.M. QUIRK : I refer to the 2010–11 WA Police annual report that was tabled today, and the fact that the number of 131 444 calls that had been abandoned more than doubled; the number of calls to 131 444 answered within the target time of 20 seconds decreased by 25 per cent; and the number of 000 calls answered within target times also decreased. (1) What measures is the minister taking to arrest this downward trend and to improve response times? (2) What does the minister consider to be the reasons for this deterioration of service and response? (3) Does the minister take any responsibility for this serious issue? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) I am surprised that I have not had a freedom of information request on this issue. The member for Girrawheen keeps using the word “abandoned” in relation to the 131 000 calls — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : It’s 131 444. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I mean on the 131 444 calls. Ms M.M. Quirk : People give up and hang up; do you understand that? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have to tell members that when people say “abandoned” very often — Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
The SPEAKER : Member, I want the question! Ms M.M. QUIRK : I refer to the 2010–11 WA Police annual report that was tabled today, and the fact that the number of 131 444 calls that had been abandoned more than doubled; the number of calls to 131 444 answered within the target time of 20 seconds decreased by 25 per cent; and the number of 000 calls answered within target times also decreased. (1) What measures is the minister taking to arrest this downward trend and to improve response times? (2) What does the minister consider to be the reasons for this deterioration of service and response? (3) Does the minister take any responsibility for this serious issue? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) I am surprised that I have not had a freedom of information request on this issue. The member for Girrawheen keeps using the word “abandoned” in relation to the 131 000 calls — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : It’s 131 444. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I mean on the 131 444 calls. Ms M.M. Quirk : People give up and hang up; do you understand that? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have to tell members that when people say “abandoned” very often — Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Ms M.M. QUIRK : I refer to the 2010–11 WA Police annual report that was tabled today, and the fact that the number of 131 444 calls that had been abandoned more than doubled; the number of calls to 131 444 answered within the target time of 20 seconds decreased by 25 per cent; and the number of 000 calls answered within target times also decreased. (1) What measures is the minister taking to arrest this downward trend and to improve response times? (2) What does the minister consider to be the reasons for this deterioration of service and response? (3) Does the minister take any responsibility for this serious issue? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) I am surprised that I have not had a freedom of information request on this issue. The member for Girrawheen keeps using the word “abandoned” in relation to the 131 000 calls — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : It’s 131 444. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I mean on the 131 444 calls. Ms M.M. Quirk : People give up and hang up; do you understand that? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have to tell members that when people say “abandoned” very often — Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
(1) What measures is the minister taking to arrest this downward trend and to improve response times? (2) What does the minister consider to be the reasons for this deterioration of service and response? (3) Does the minister take any responsibility for this serious issue? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) I am surprised that I have not had a freedom of information request on this issue. The member for Girrawheen keeps using the word “abandoned” in relation to the 131 000 calls — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : It’s 131 444. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I mean on the 131 444 calls. Ms M.M. Quirk : People give up and hang up; do you understand that? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have to tell members that when people say “abandoned” very often — Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
(2) What does the minister consider to be the reasons for this deterioration of service and response? (3) Does the minister take any responsibility for this serious issue? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) I am surprised that I have not had a freedom of information request on this issue. The member for Girrawheen keeps using the word “abandoned” in relation to the 131 000 calls — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : It’s 131 444. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I mean on the 131 444 calls. Ms M.M. Quirk : People give up and hang up; do you understand that? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have to tell members that when people say “abandoned” very often — Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
(3) Does the minister take any responsibility for this serious issue? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) I am surprised that I have not had a freedom of information request on this issue. The member for Girrawheen keeps using the word “abandoned” in relation to the 131 000 calls — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : It’s 131 444. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I mean on the 131 444 calls. Ms M.M. Quirk : People give up and hang up; do you understand that? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have to tell members that when people say “abandoned” very often — Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) I am surprised that I have not had a freedom of information request on this issue. The member for Girrawheen keeps using the word “abandoned” in relation to the 131 000 calls — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : It’s 131 444. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I mean on the 131 444 calls. Ms M.M. Quirk : People give up and hang up; do you understand that? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have to tell members that when people say “abandoned” very often — Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
(1)–(3) I am surprised that I have not had a freedom of information request on this issue. The member for Girrawheen keeps using the word “abandoned” in relation to the 131 000 calls — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : It’s 131 444. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I mean on the 131 444 calls. Ms M.M. Quirk : People give up and hang up; do you understand that? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have to tell members that when people say “abandoned” very often — Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Mr A.P. O’Gorman : It’s 131 444. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I mean on the 131 444 calls. Ms M.M. Quirk : People give up and hang up; do you understand that? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have to tell members that when people say “abandoned” very often — Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I mean on the 131 444 calls. Ms M.M. Quirk : People give up and hang up; do you understand that? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have to tell members that when people say “abandoned” very often — Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Ms M.M. Quirk : People give up and hang up; do you understand that? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have to tell members that when people say “abandoned” very often — Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have to tell members that when people say “abandoned” very often — Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
The SPEAKER : Member, I want the question! Ms M.M. QUIRK : I refer to the 2010–11 WA Police annual report that was tabled today, and the fact that the number of 131 444 calls that had been abandoned more than doubled; the number of calls to 131 444 answered within the target time of 20 seconds decreased by 25 per cent; and the number of 000 calls answered within target times also decreased. (1) What measures is the minister taking to arrest this downward trend and to improve response times? (2) What does the minister consider to be the reasons for this deterioration of service and response? (3) Does the minister take any responsibility for this serious issue? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) I am surprised that I have not had a freedom of information request on this issue. The member for Girrawheen keeps using the word “abandoned” in relation to the 131 000 calls — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : It’s 131 444. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I mean on the 131 444 calls. Ms M.M. Quirk : People give up and hang up; do you understand that? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have to tell members that when people say “abandoned” very often — Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Ms M.M. QUIRK : I refer to the 2010–11 WA Police annual report that was tabled today, and the fact that the number of 131 444 calls that had been abandoned more than doubled; the number of calls to 131 444 answered within the target time of 20 seconds decreased by 25 per cent; and the number of 000 calls answered within target times also decreased. (1) What measures is the minister taking to arrest this downward trend and to improve response times? (2) What does the minister consider to be the reasons for this deterioration of service and response? (3) Does the minister take any responsibility for this serious issue? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) I am surprised that I have not had a freedom of information request on this issue. The member for Girrawheen keeps using the word “abandoned” in relation to the 131 000 calls — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : It’s 131 444. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I mean on the 131 444 calls. Ms M.M. Quirk : People give up and hang up; do you understand that? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have to tell members that when people say “abandoned” very often — Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
(1) What measures is the minister taking to arrest this downward trend and to improve response times? (2) What does the minister consider to be the reasons for this deterioration of service and response? (3) Does the minister take any responsibility for this serious issue? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) I am surprised that I have not had a freedom of information request on this issue. The member for Girrawheen keeps using the word “abandoned” in relation to the 131 000 calls — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : It’s 131 444. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I mean on the 131 444 calls. Ms M.M. Quirk : People give up and hang up; do you understand that? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have to tell members that when people say “abandoned” very often — Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
(2) What does the minister consider to be the reasons for this deterioration of service and response? (3) Does the minister take any responsibility for this serious issue? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) I am surprised that I have not had a freedom of information request on this issue. The member for Girrawheen keeps using the word “abandoned” in relation to the 131 000 calls — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : It’s 131 444. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I mean on the 131 444 calls. Ms M.M. Quirk : People give up and hang up; do you understand that? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have to tell members that when people say “abandoned” very often — Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
(3) Does the minister take any responsibility for this serious issue? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) I am surprised that I have not had a freedom of information request on this issue. The member for Girrawheen keeps using the word “abandoned” in relation to the 131 000 calls — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : It’s 131 444. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I mean on the 131 444 calls. Ms M.M. Quirk : People give up and hang up; do you understand that? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have to tell members that when people say “abandoned” very often — Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) I am surprised that I have not had a freedom of information request on this issue. The member for Girrawheen keeps using the word “abandoned” in relation to the 131 000 calls — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : It’s 131 444. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I mean on the 131 444 calls. Ms M.M. Quirk : People give up and hang up; do you understand that? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have to tell members that when people say “abandoned” very often — Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
(1)–(3) I am surprised that I have not had a freedom of information request on this issue. The member for Girrawheen keeps using the word “abandoned” in relation to the 131 000 calls — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : It’s 131 444. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I mean on the 131 444 calls. Ms M.M. Quirk : People give up and hang up; do you understand that? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have to tell members that when people say “abandoned” very often — Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Mr A.P. O’Gorman : It’s 131 444. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I mean on the 131 444 calls. Ms M.M. Quirk : People give up and hang up; do you understand that? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have to tell members that when people say “abandoned” very often — Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I mean on the 131 444 calls. Ms M.M. Quirk : People give up and hang up; do you understand that? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have to tell members that when people say “abandoned” very often — Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Ms M.M. Quirk : People give up and hang up; do you understand that? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have to tell members that when people say “abandoned” very often — Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have to tell members that when people say “abandoned” very often — Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Ms M.M. Quirk : They give up. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : If the member for Girrawheen wants to answer the question, one day—I do not know whether she will make it—she might come over to this side and answer the question. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member asked a question and she gets up and wants to answer it! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I am sure you do not need any assistance from anyone to ask this question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me just say that of course I take responsibility for all of my agencies, and in this area, I take responsibility for police, and I take responsibility for ensuring they receive the resources and funding they need to be able to do their jobs, as I do with the other agencies—okay? I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
I do not actually go and work at the call centres, so I cannot give the member an account of exactly what happens, but I know for a fact that what happens — Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Mr W.J. Johnston : There’s a job for you! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not want to hear from the member! This is the bloke who wanted to bury important legislation for a year that was designed to stop children from being harmed. We know where the member for Cannington is coming from. In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
In relation to those calls, yes, the word “abandoned” very often means that people just decide that they will not actually call that number. They dial it first of all, and then decide, “Oh, no; I think I’ll dial this other number.” Then they do that. The member will see that over the years the number — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The measures I am taking, in very simple terms, are that I will ensure that police get adequate resources and funds to be able to carry out that function properly, and to expand that function. We are looking at expanding that function.
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