❓ Opposition Leader Omodei questions Premier Carpenter on rising violent crime rates, citing specific incidents and statistics. The Premier defends his government's record, highlighting increased police resources and initiatives to combat drug-related crime.
AnsweredQoN 381Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
VIOLENT ASSAULTS 381. Mr P.D. OMODEI to the Premier: Before I ask my question, Mr Speaker, I join you in welcoming all the representatives of the Statewide Student Parliament from around Western Australia. In particular, I welcome Scarlett Kuser-Singe from Bridgetown High School. I understand that she represented me with great distinction. I remind the Premier of the violent bashing of Bruce Norton with a star picket in his front yard and of the shocking bashing of 79-year-old Elizabeth Foster in her home, and also of the brutal attack on the 59-year-old pensioner, Gary Mann, just a few days ago, who was robbed for a measly $5. Given that official police figures show that the number of violent bashings, including attacks against the elderly and children, has increased from 4 252 in 2000-01 to a shocking 6 323 at the end of June 2007, I ask - (1) Will the Premier confirm that the number of violent bashings on our streets has increased by 49 per cent since the Labor Party came to power? (2) Will the Premier refer to that disgraceful figure when he tries to spin his government’s achievements in law and order? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I appreciate the sentiment behind the question; namely, the genuine and deep level of concern in the community about the nature and number of serious assaults in Western Australia. One could argue - I certainly would - that one serious assault is one too many and that one representation of an assault victim, such as those being held up by members opposite, is one more than one would ever like to see. That is obviously the case. Mr P.D. Omodei : There have been over 140 assaults in your electorate since January 2007. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in my electorate will make a judgement about that and about me. I think I know what that judgement will be. Since we came to government there has been a shift from the dark old days when police vehicles had no petrol and when police officers were unable to attend crime scenes. Western Australia now has an extra 374 police officers and a Frontline First policy that is clearly working with assault figures - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I will pass on the sentiment of members opposite to the Western Australia Police. Members opposite sit in their seats and laugh and scoff at the efforts of the Western Australia Police and at the approach taken by the Commissioner of Police. I can quite easily pass on the fact that members opposite scoff at the policy overseen by the Commissioner of Police. The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
VIOLENT ASSAULTS
Before I ask my question, Mr Speaker, I join you in welcoming all the representatives of the Statewide Student Parliament from around Western Australia. In particular, I welcome Scarlett Kuser-Singe from Bridgetown High School. I understand that she represented me with great distinction. I remind the Premier of the violent bashing of Bruce Norton with a star picket in his front yard and of the shocking bashing of 79-year-old Elizabeth Foster in her home, and also of the brutal attack on the 59-year-old pensioner, Gary Mann, just a few days ago, who was robbed for a measly $5. Given that official police figures show that the number of violent bashings, including attacks against the elderly and children, has increased from 4 252 in 2000-01 to a shocking 6 323 at the end of June 2007, I ask - (1) Will the Premier confirm that the number of violent bashings on our streets has increased by 49 per cent since the Labor Party came to power? (2) Will the Premier refer to that disgraceful figure when he tries to spin his government’s achievements in law and order? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I appreciate the sentiment behind the question; namely, the genuine and deep level of concern in the community about the nature and number of serious assaults in Western Australia. One could argue - I certainly would - that one serious assault is one too many and that one representation of an assault victim, such as those being held up by members opposite, is one more than one would ever like to see. That is obviously the case. Mr P.D. Omodei : There have been over 140 assaults in your electorate since January 2007. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in my electorate will make a judgement about that and about me. I think I know what that judgement will be. Since we came to government there has been a shift from the dark old days when police vehicles had no petrol and when police officers were unable to attend crime scenes. Western Australia now has an extra 374 police officers and a Frontline First policy that is clearly working with assault figures - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I will pass on the sentiment of members opposite to the Western Australia Police. Members opposite sit in their seats and laugh and scoff at the efforts of the Western Australia Police and at the approach taken by the Commissioner of Police. I can quite easily pass on the fact that members opposite scoff at the policy overseen by the Commissioner of Police. The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
I remind the Premier of the violent bashing of Bruce Norton with a star picket in his front yard and of the shocking bashing of 79-year-old Elizabeth Foster in her home, and also of the brutal attack on the 59-year-old pensioner, Gary Mann, just a few days ago, who was robbed for a measly $5. Given that official police figures show that the number of violent bashings, including attacks against the elderly and children, has increased from 4 252 in 2000-01 to a shocking 6 323 at the end of June 2007, I ask - (1) Will the Premier confirm that the number of violent bashings on our streets has increased by 49 per cent since the Labor Party came to power? (2) Will the Premier refer to that disgraceful figure when he tries to spin his government’s achievements in law and order? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I appreciate the sentiment behind the question; namely, the genuine and deep level of concern in the community about the nature and number of serious assaults in Western Australia. One could argue - I certainly would - that one serious assault is one too many and that one representation of an assault victim, such as those being held up by members opposite, is one more than one would ever like to see. That is obviously the case. Mr P.D. Omodei : There have been over 140 assaults in your electorate since January 2007. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in my electorate will make a judgement about that and about me. I think I know what that judgement will be. Since we came to government there has been a shift from the dark old days when police vehicles had no petrol and when police officers were unable to attend crime scenes. Western Australia now has an extra 374 police officers and a Frontline First policy that is clearly working with assault figures - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I will pass on the sentiment of members opposite to the Western Australia Police. Members opposite sit in their seats and laugh and scoff at the efforts of the Western Australia Police and at the approach taken by the Commissioner of Police. I can quite easily pass on the fact that members opposite scoff at the policy overseen by the Commissioner of Police. The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
(1) Will the Premier confirm that the number of violent bashings on our streets has increased by 49 per cent since the Labor Party came to power? (2) Will the Premier refer to that disgraceful figure when he tries to spin his government’s achievements in law and order? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I appreciate the sentiment behind the question; namely, the genuine and deep level of concern in the community about the nature and number of serious assaults in Western Australia. One could argue - I certainly would - that one serious assault is one too many and that one representation of an assault victim, such as those being held up by members opposite, is one more than one would ever like to see. That is obviously the case. Mr P.D. Omodei : There have been over 140 assaults in your electorate since January 2007. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in my electorate will make a judgement about that and about me. I think I know what that judgement will be. Since we came to government there has been a shift from the dark old days when police vehicles had no petrol and when police officers were unable to attend crime scenes. Western Australia now has an extra 374 police officers and a Frontline First policy that is clearly working with assault figures - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I will pass on the sentiment of members opposite to the Western Australia Police. Members opposite sit in their seats and laugh and scoff at the efforts of the Western Australia Police and at the approach taken by the Commissioner of Police. I can quite easily pass on the fact that members opposite scoff at the policy overseen by the Commissioner of Police. The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
(2) Will the Premier refer to that disgraceful figure when he tries to spin his government’s achievements in law and order? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I appreciate the sentiment behind the question; namely, the genuine and deep level of concern in the community about the nature and number of serious assaults in Western Australia. One could argue - I certainly would - that one serious assault is one too many and that one representation of an assault victim, such as those being held up by members opposite, is one more than one would ever like to see. That is obviously the case. Mr P.D. Omodei : There have been over 140 assaults in your electorate since January 2007. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in my electorate will make a judgement about that and about me. I think I know what that judgement will be. Since we came to government there has been a shift from the dark old days when police vehicles had no petrol and when police officers were unable to attend crime scenes. Western Australia now has an extra 374 police officers and a Frontline First policy that is clearly working with assault figures - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I will pass on the sentiment of members opposite to the Western Australia Police. Members opposite sit in their seats and laugh and scoff at the efforts of the Western Australia Police and at the approach taken by the Commissioner of Police. I can quite easily pass on the fact that members opposite scoff at the policy overseen by the Commissioner of Police. The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I appreciate the sentiment behind the question; namely, the genuine and deep level of concern in the community about the nature and number of serious assaults in Western Australia. One could argue - I certainly would - that one serious assault is one too many and that one representation of an assault victim, such as those being held up by members opposite, is one more than one would ever like to see. That is obviously the case. Mr P.D. Omodei : There have been over 140 assaults in your electorate since January 2007. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in my electorate will make a judgement about that and about me. I think I know what that judgement will be. Since we came to government there has been a shift from the dark old days when police vehicles had no petrol and when police officers were unable to attend crime scenes. Western Australia now has an extra 374 police officers and a Frontline First policy that is clearly working with assault figures - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I will pass on the sentiment of members opposite to the Western Australia Police. Members opposite sit in their seats and laugh and scoff at the efforts of the Western Australia Police and at the approach taken by the Commissioner of Police. I can quite easily pass on the fact that members opposite scoff at the policy overseen by the Commissioner of Police. The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
(1)-(2) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I appreciate the sentiment behind the question; namely, the genuine and deep level of concern in the community about the nature and number of serious assaults in Western Australia. One could argue - I certainly would - that one serious assault is one too many and that one representation of an assault victim, such as those being held up by members opposite, is one more than one would ever like to see. That is obviously the case. Mr P.D. Omodei : There have been over 140 assaults in your electorate since January 2007. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in my electorate will make a judgement about that and about me. I think I know what that judgement will be. Since we came to government there has been a shift from the dark old days when police vehicles had no petrol and when police officers were unable to attend crime scenes. Western Australia now has an extra 374 police officers and a Frontline First policy that is clearly working with assault figures - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I will pass on the sentiment of members opposite to the Western Australia Police. Members opposite sit in their seats and laugh and scoff at the efforts of the Western Australia Police and at the approach taken by the Commissioner of Police. I can quite easily pass on the fact that members opposite scoff at the policy overseen by the Commissioner of Police. The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
Mr P.D. Omodei : There have been over 140 assaults in your electorate since January 2007. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in my electorate will make a judgement about that and about me. I think I know what that judgement will be. Since we came to government there has been a shift from the dark old days when police vehicles had no petrol and when police officers were unable to attend crime scenes. Western Australia now has an extra 374 police officers and a Frontline First policy that is clearly working with assault figures - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I will pass on the sentiment of members opposite to the Western Australia Police. Members opposite sit in their seats and laugh and scoff at the efforts of the Western Australia Police and at the approach taken by the Commissioner of Police. I can quite easily pass on the fact that members opposite scoff at the policy overseen by the Commissioner of Police. The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in my electorate will make a judgement about that and about me. I think I know what that judgement will be. Since we came to government there has been a shift from the dark old days when police vehicles had no petrol and when police officers were unable to attend crime scenes. Western Australia now has an extra 374 police officers and a Frontline First policy that is clearly working with assault figures - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I will pass on the sentiment of members opposite to the Western Australia Police. Members opposite sit in their seats and laugh and scoff at the efforts of the Western Australia Police and at the approach taken by the Commissioner of Police. I can quite easily pass on the fact that members opposite scoff at the policy overseen by the Commissioner of Police. The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I will pass on the sentiment of members opposite to the Western Australia Police. Members opposite sit in their seats and laugh and scoff at the efforts of the Western Australia Police and at the approach taken by the Commissioner of Police. I can quite easily pass on the fact that members opposite scoff at the policy overseen by the Commissioner of Police. The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I will pass on the sentiment of members opposite to the Western Australia Police. Members opposite sit in their seats and laugh and scoff at the efforts of the Western Australia Police and at the approach taken by the Commissioner of Police. I can quite easily pass on the fact that members opposite scoff at the policy overseen by the Commissioner of Police. The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I will pass on the sentiment of members opposite to the Western Australia Police. Members opposite sit in their seats and laugh and scoff at the efforts of the Western Australia Police and at the approach taken by the Commissioner of Police. I can quite easily pass on the fact that members opposite scoff at the policy overseen by the Commissioner of Police. The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
VIOLENT ASSAULTS
Before I ask my question, Mr Speaker, I join you in welcoming all the representatives of the Statewide Student Parliament from around Western Australia. In particular, I welcome Scarlett Kuser-Singe from Bridgetown High School. I understand that she represented me with great distinction. I remind the Premier of the violent bashing of Bruce Norton with a star picket in his front yard and of the shocking bashing of 79-year-old Elizabeth Foster in her home, and also of the brutal attack on the 59-year-old pensioner, Gary Mann, just a few days ago, who was robbed for a measly $5. Given that official police figures show that the number of violent bashings, including attacks against the elderly and children, has increased from 4 252 in 2000-01 to a shocking 6 323 at the end of June 2007, I ask - (1) Will the Premier confirm that the number of violent bashings on our streets has increased by 49 per cent since the Labor Party came to power? (2) Will the Premier refer to that disgraceful figure when he tries to spin his government’s achievements in law and order? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I appreciate the sentiment behind the question; namely, the genuine and deep level of concern in the community about the nature and number of serious assaults in Western Australia. One could argue - I certainly would - that one serious assault is one too many and that one representation of an assault victim, such as those being held up by members opposite, is one more than one would ever like to see. That is obviously the case. Mr P.D. Omodei : There have been over 140 assaults in your electorate since January 2007. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in my electorate will make a judgement about that and about me. I think I know what that judgement will be. Since we came to government there has been a shift from the dark old days when police vehicles had no petrol and when police officers were unable to attend crime scenes. Western Australia now has an extra 374 police officers and a Frontline First policy that is clearly working with assault figures - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I will pass on the sentiment of members opposite to the Western Australia Police. Members opposite sit in their seats and laugh and scoff at the efforts of the Western Australia Police and at the approach taken by the Commissioner of Police. I can quite easily pass on the fact that members opposite scoff at the policy overseen by the Commissioner of Police. The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
I remind the Premier of the violent bashing of Bruce Norton with a star picket in his front yard and of the shocking bashing of 79-year-old Elizabeth Foster in her home, and also of the brutal attack on the 59-year-old pensioner, Gary Mann, just a few days ago, who was robbed for a measly $5. Given that official police figures show that the number of violent bashings, including attacks against the elderly and children, has increased from 4 252 in 2000-01 to a shocking 6 323 at the end of June 2007, I ask - (1) Will the Premier confirm that the number of violent bashings on our streets has increased by 49 per cent since the Labor Party came to power? (2) Will the Premier refer to that disgraceful figure when he tries to spin his government’s achievements in law and order? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I appreciate the sentiment behind the question; namely, the genuine and deep level of concern in the community about the nature and number of serious assaults in Western Australia. One could argue - I certainly would - that one serious assault is one too many and that one representation of an assault victim, such as those being held up by members opposite, is one more than one would ever like to see. That is obviously the case. Mr P.D. Omodei : There have been over 140 assaults in your electorate since January 2007. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in my electorate will make a judgement about that and about me. I think I know what that judgement will be. Since we came to government there has been a shift from the dark old days when police vehicles had no petrol and when police officers were unable to attend crime scenes. Western Australia now has an extra 374 police officers and a Frontline First policy that is clearly working with assault figures - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I will pass on the sentiment of members opposite to the Western Australia Police. Members opposite sit in their seats and laugh and scoff at the efforts of the Western Australia Police and at the approach taken by the Commissioner of Police. I can quite easily pass on the fact that members opposite scoff at the policy overseen by the Commissioner of Police. The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
(1) Will the Premier confirm that the number of violent bashings on our streets has increased by 49 per cent since the Labor Party came to power? (2) Will the Premier refer to that disgraceful figure when he tries to spin his government’s achievements in law and order? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I appreciate the sentiment behind the question; namely, the genuine and deep level of concern in the community about the nature and number of serious assaults in Western Australia. One could argue - I certainly would - that one serious assault is one too many and that one representation of an assault victim, such as those being held up by members opposite, is one more than one would ever like to see. That is obviously the case. Mr P.D. Omodei : There have been over 140 assaults in your electorate since January 2007. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in my electorate will make a judgement about that and about me. I think I know what that judgement will be. Since we came to government there has been a shift from the dark old days when police vehicles had no petrol and when police officers were unable to attend crime scenes. Western Australia now has an extra 374 police officers and a Frontline First policy that is clearly working with assault figures - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I will pass on the sentiment of members opposite to the Western Australia Police. Members opposite sit in their seats and laugh and scoff at the efforts of the Western Australia Police and at the approach taken by the Commissioner of Police. I can quite easily pass on the fact that members opposite scoff at the policy overseen by the Commissioner of Police. The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
(2) Will the Premier refer to that disgraceful figure when he tries to spin his government’s achievements in law and order? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I appreciate the sentiment behind the question; namely, the genuine and deep level of concern in the community about the nature and number of serious assaults in Western Australia. One could argue - I certainly would - that one serious assault is one too many and that one representation of an assault victim, such as those being held up by members opposite, is one more than one would ever like to see. That is obviously the case. Mr P.D. Omodei : There have been over 140 assaults in your electorate since January 2007. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in my electorate will make a judgement about that and about me. I think I know what that judgement will be. Since we came to government there has been a shift from the dark old days when police vehicles had no petrol and when police officers were unable to attend crime scenes. Western Australia now has an extra 374 police officers and a Frontline First policy that is clearly working with assault figures - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I will pass on the sentiment of members opposite to the Western Australia Police. Members opposite sit in their seats and laugh and scoff at the efforts of the Western Australia Police and at the approach taken by the Commissioner of Police. I can quite easily pass on the fact that members opposite scoff at the policy overseen by the Commissioner of Police. The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I appreciate the sentiment behind the question; namely, the genuine and deep level of concern in the community about the nature and number of serious assaults in Western Australia. One could argue - I certainly would - that one serious assault is one too many and that one representation of an assault victim, such as those being held up by members opposite, is one more than one would ever like to see. That is obviously the case. Mr P.D. Omodei : There have been over 140 assaults in your electorate since January 2007. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in my electorate will make a judgement about that and about me. I think I know what that judgement will be. Since we came to government there has been a shift from the dark old days when police vehicles had no petrol and when police officers were unable to attend crime scenes. Western Australia now has an extra 374 police officers and a Frontline First policy that is clearly working with assault figures - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I will pass on the sentiment of members opposite to the Western Australia Police. Members opposite sit in their seats and laugh and scoff at the efforts of the Western Australia Police and at the approach taken by the Commissioner of Police. I can quite easily pass on the fact that members opposite scoff at the policy overseen by the Commissioner of Police. The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
(1)-(2) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I appreciate the sentiment behind the question; namely, the genuine and deep level of concern in the community about the nature and number of serious assaults in Western Australia. One could argue - I certainly would - that one serious assault is one too many and that one representation of an assault victim, such as those being held up by members opposite, is one more than one would ever like to see. That is obviously the case. Mr P.D. Omodei : There have been over 140 assaults in your electorate since January 2007. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in my electorate will make a judgement about that and about me. I think I know what that judgement will be. Since we came to government there has been a shift from the dark old days when police vehicles had no petrol and when police officers were unable to attend crime scenes. Western Australia now has an extra 374 police officers and a Frontline First policy that is clearly working with assault figures - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I will pass on the sentiment of members opposite to the Western Australia Police. Members opposite sit in their seats and laugh and scoff at the efforts of the Western Australia Police and at the approach taken by the Commissioner of Police. I can quite easily pass on the fact that members opposite scoff at the policy overseen by the Commissioner of Police. The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
Mr P.D. Omodei : There have been over 140 assaults in your electorate since January 2007. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in my electorate will make a judgement about that and about me. I think I know what that judgement will be. Since we came to government there has been a shift from the dark old days when police vehicles had no petrol and when police officers were unable to attend crime scenes. Western Australia now has an extra 374 police officers and a Frontline First policy that is clearly working with assault figures - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I will pass on the sentiment of members opposite to the Western Australia Police. Members opposite sit in their seats and laugh and scoff at the efforts of the Western Australia Police and at the approach taken by the Commissioner of Police. I can quite easily pass on the fact that members opposite scoff at the policy overseen by the Commissioner of Police. The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in my electorate will make a judgement about that and about me. I think I know what that judgement will be. Since we came to government there has been a shift from the dark old days when police vehicles had no petrol and when police officers were unable to attend crime scenes. Western Australia now has an extra 374 police officers and a Frontline First policy that is clearly working with assault figures - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I will pass on the sentiment of members opposite to the Western Australia Police. Members opposite sit in their seats and laugh and scoff at the efforts of the Western Australia Police and at the approach taken by the Commissioner of Police. I can quite easily pass on the fact that members opposite scoff at the policy overseen by the Commissioner of Police. The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I will pass on the sentiment of members opposite to the Western Australia Police. Members opposite sit in their seats and laugh and scoff at the efforts of the Western Australia Police and at the approach taken by the Commissioner of Police. I can quite easily pass on the fact that members opposite scoff at the policy overseen by the Commissioner of Police. The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I will pass on the sentiment of members opposite to the Western Australia Police. Members opposite sit in their seats and laugh and scoff at the efforts of the Western Australia Police and at the approach taken by the Commissioner of Police. I can quite easily pass on the fact that members opposite scoff at the policy overseen by the Commissioner of Police. The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I will pass on the sentiment of members opposite to the Western Australia Police. Members opposite sit in their seats and laugh and scoff at the efforts of the Western Australia Police and at the approach taken by the Commissioner of Police. I can quite easily pass on the fact that members opposite scoff at the policy overseen by the Commissioner of Police. The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
The June 2007 assault figures are down eight per cent compared with those from June 2006, and there has been a seven per cent reduction from May 2007 to June 2007. Crimes against the person are down nine per cent in June 2007 compared with June 2006, and there has been an 11 per cent drop from May to June this year. That figure is the lowest monthly figure since 2005. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I share the view expressed by the Commissioner of Police that Western Australia has a particular problem with the effect of amphetamines on not only the nature of crime, but also the intensity of crime, which is why, with police support, we established a summit to address the issues related to amphetamine abuse in this state. It is worth noting that the reported use of amphetamines in Western Australia is much lower today than it was when those on the other side of the house occupied the government benches, as is the reported use of every other type of drug in the state. Shockingly, when the coalition was in power, up to 100 people died from a heroin overdose each year. It did nothing about that problem; indeed, it had no idea what to do. It released a few videos and pamphlets, but generally it had no idea what to do. One of the key initiatives that came from the amphetamine summit - all 49 recommendations will be implemented - is an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which will relate to penalties for drug dealers. The sale or supply of drugs to a child at or near a school or in licensed premises will be considered to be an aggravated offence. The courts will have the power to impose harsher sentences on drug dealers, with the maximum penalty being 25 years’ imprisonment or a $100 000 fine - or both. The amendment will give the courts the power to use the element of aggregation when sentencing. Crime in Western Australia is an issue. Drug-related crime is also an issue. We have made significant progress towards dealing with that issue, compared with the utterly hopeless circumstances we inherited when the state was under-policed and the police were under-resourced and in some cases had no fuel to put in their cars. There was a proliferation of one-person police stations, which were totally hopeless. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Hundreds of people were dying of drug overdoses on the streets of Perth and there was a huge drug-related crime wave. However, we need to improve on that, and we will. Point of Order Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the Premier quoted official figures in relation to crime statistics and I ask him to table them. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
The SPEAKER : Members! If the Premier was quoting from an official document, he will no doubt table it. If not, there is no requirement for him to do so. I did not know it was an official document.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.