❓ Mr. McGowan questions the Minister for Police about the police presence at the Roe 8 construction site, including the number of officers, their origin, and the project's policing budget. The Minister deflects, stating she doesn't direct the Police Commissioner and justifies the presence due to potential protest activity.
AnsweredQoN 1009Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ROE HIGHWAY STAGE 8 — POLICE PRESENCE
1009. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Minister for
Police:
I acknowledge members of the
community concerned about the Roe 8 project who are in the gallery today.
[Interruption from the gallery.]
The
SPEAKER : I just want to tell people in the gallery that you are quite
welcome to sit and listen but you are not allowed to clap, shout or make any
noise in the gallery. Thank you very much.
Mr
M. McGOWAN : I refer to the works being undertaken in the Roe 8 reserve and
the very significant police presence there today.
(1) How many police were present,
and from what areas and duties were these police officers taken?
(2) What is the budget for police
support to the Roe 8 construction project?
(3) Will Main Roads Western
Australia cover the cost of the police presence?
1009. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Minister for
Police:
I acknowledge members of the
community concerned about the Roe 8 project who are in the gallery today.
[Interruption from the gallery.]
The
SPEAKER : I just want to tell people in the gallery that you are quite
welcome to sit and listen but you are not allowed to clap, shout or make any
noise in the gallery. Thank you very much.
Mr
M. McGOWAN : I refer to the works being undertaken in the Roe 8 reserve and
the very significant police presence there today.
(1) How many police were present,
and from what areas and duties were these police officers taken?
(2) What is the budget for police
support to the Roe 8 construction project?
(3) Will Main Roads Western
Australia cover the cost of the police presence?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) It
is an interesting question from the Leader of the Opposition. The opposition in
this state seems to think that as Minister for Police I should be directing
where the police commissioner puts his resources, and that is not what we do.
That is not what I do as minister.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members! Members!
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : It is not what I do as minister and, indeed, it would be
improper of me to direct the commissioner as to where he should put any of his
resources. With respect to the police attendance at Roe 8 this afternoon, I
have been advised by the police that their monitoring of social media alerted
them to the fact that there could well be some incidents out at Roe 8, at that
job, that might require police attendance.
Mr
P. Papalia interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro!
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : There have been members of the opposition—the Leader
of the Opposition in particular—whipping up a storm and encouraging
people to take radical protest action. The police are there to ensure that
people can go about their lawful duties and go about their jobs without
expecting an obstruction from protest activity. People are allowed to protest
in this state, but if they break the law, we resource police to deal with that.
Mr
P.C. Tinley interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Willagee, I call you to order for the first time.
is an interesting question from the Leader of the Opposition. The opposition in
this state seems to think that as Minister for Police I should be directing
where the police commissioner puts his resources, and that is not what we do.
That is not what I do as minister.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members! Members!
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : It is not what I do as minister and, indeed, it would be
improper of me to direct the commissioner as to where he should put any of his
resources. With respect to the police attendance at Roe 8 this afternoon, I
have been advised by the police that their monitoring of social media alerted
them to the fact that there could well be some incidents out at Roe 8, at that
job, that might require police attendance.
Mr
P. Papalia interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro!
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : There have been members of the opposition—the Leader
of the Opposition in particular—whipping up a storm and encouraging
people to take radical protest action. The police are there to ensure that
people can go about their lawful duties and go about their jobs without
expecting an obstruction from protest activity. People are allowed to protest
in this state, but if they break the law, we resource police to deal with that.
Mr
P.C. Tinley interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Willagee, I call you to order for the first time.
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