❓ The Premier outlines government investments in Perth CBD revitalisation, including the new State Operations Command Centre, and announces a crackdown on serial shoplifters with potential jail time for repeat offenders.
AnsweredQoN 91Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
POLICE — CBD — SAFETY
91. Mrs M.R. MARSHALL to the Premier:
I refer to the Cook Labor
government's ongoing plan to create safe, vibrant communities. Can the
Premier outline to the house how the Cook Labor government's
transformation of our CBD has been bolstered by exemplary police infrastructure
and advise the house what this government is doing to ensure that small
businesses and workers are protected from serial petty thieves?
Mr R.H.
COOK
91. Mrs M.R. MARSHALL to the Premier:
I refer to the Cook Labor
government's ongoing plan to create safe, vibrant communities. Can the
Premier outline to the house how the Cook Labor government's
transformation of our CBD has been bolstered by exemplary police infrastructure
and advise the house what this government is doing to ensure that small
businesses and workers are protected from serial petty thieves?
Mr R.H.
COOK
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. We both
live in vibrant communities in the south. Community safety and the support of
people in those communities is an absolute priority for us. In the CBD we are
currently seeing a massive transformation of our capital city, and it is
happening right now as a direct result of my
government's led investment. This includes the new inner city ECU
campus, the rejuvenation of the Perth Concert Hall, the Perth Cultural
Centre and Yagan Square, plus a soon-to-be transformed Perth Convention and
Exhibition Centre. An Aboriginal cultural centre is in the pipeline, and we are
making our city a home for people with new facilities like a primary school and
an aquatic facility at the WACA ground. A new iconic pedestrian and cycling bridge is taking shape between the city and
Victoria Park, and there is an increasingly busy schedule of major events .
There are lots of people coming into our city, which obviously brings
challenges.
We recognise that a world-class
city requires world-class policing. This morning, I joined the Minister for
Police, Hon Paul Papalia, and the Minister
for Community Services, Hon Sabine Winton, to unveil the new State Operations Command Centre in the CBD. The new centre combines the former command centre in
Maylands and some of the operations centre from Midland. It is at the forefront
of new policing technology supporting frontline officers 24/7. The Commissioner of Police, Col Blanch, was with
us and he observed that this is cutting-bleeding-edge technology . We
have already seen visitors from across the globe come to look at this facility,
which brings together not only policing, but
the Department of Communities, the Mental Health Commission, St John Ambulance,
the Department of Education and the department of corrective services
all under the one roof so they can continue to coordinate, utilising the great
technology available to provide great support and policing services for the
people of Western Australia. Having the police nerve centre at the city centre
will mean that the best police officers in Australia can ensure we have the
safest city in Australia. This government is doing all it can to create a safe
city with a positive atmosphere.
Another
part of creating a safe city is cracking down on serial offenders. For too long
some thieves have thought that they are able to steal from hardworking business
owners and their staff without fear of consequences. Today my government is
doing something about that. The community, shop owners and workers should not
put up with this. This includes business owners and their hardworking staff.
Quite frankly, they have had enough and so have I. That is why my government is
today launching a crackdown on criminals who repeatedly snub their nose at the
law. It includes new laws that will modernise fine-only penalty options to
include jail time. I want to be clear: this does not apply to someone who makes
one bad decision in their life. The crackdown will target serial shoplifters,
offenders who repeatedly ignore the expectations of the courts and the
community by flouting the law—specifically, offenders who have already
been convicted of stealing or attempted stealing twice or more in the 12 months
prior. In short, if you keep stealing, you will go to jail. It is a commonsense
sentencing option that will be made available to the courts.
Our city is growing its
international reputation off the back of our initiatives. In addition to
building a city that is filled with attractions and events, we are also putting
in place the policy and infrastructure to keep it safe. It was a pleasure to be
there with the Minister for Police and the Minister for Community Services
today, looking at the great investments we are making in policing in the city.
It will significantly improve community safety and support those who need
support in the community. We are immensely proud of this initiative.
live in vibrant communities in the south. Community safety and the support of
people in those communities is an absolute priority for us. In the CBD we are
currently seeing a massive transformation of our capital city, and it is
happening right now as a direct result of my
government's led investment. This includes the new inner city ECU
campus, the rejuvenation of the Perth Concert Hall, the Perth Cultural
Centre and Yagan Square, plus a soon-to-be transformed Perth Convention and
Exhibition Centre. An Aboriginal cultural centre is in the pipeline, and we are
making our city a home for people with new facilities like a primary school and
an aquatic facility at the WACA ground. A new iconic pedestrian and cycling bridge is taking shape between the city and
Victoria Park, and there is an increasingly busy schedule of major events .
There are lots of people coming into our city, which obviously brings
challenges.
We recognise that a world-class
city requires world-class policing. This morning, I joined the Minister for
Police, Hon Paul Papalia, and the Minister
for Community Services, Hon Sabine Winton, to unveil the new State Operations Command Centre in the CBD. The new centre combines the former command centre in
Maylands and some of the operations centre from Midland. It is at the forefront
of new policing technology supporting frontline officers 24/7. The Commissioner of Police, Col Blanch, was with
us and he observed that this is cutting-bleeding-edge technology . We
have already seen visitors from across the globe come to look at this facility,
which brings together not only policing, but
the Department of Communities, the Mental Health Commission, St John Ambulance,
the Department of Education and the department of corrective services
all under the one roof so they can continue to coordinate, utilising the great
technology available to provide great support and policing services for the
people of Western Australia. Having the police nerve centre at the city centre
will mean that the best police officers in Australia can ensure we have the
safest city in Australia. This government is doing all it can to create a safe
city with a positive atmosphere.
Another
part of creating a safe city is cracking down on serial offenders. For too long
some thieves have thought that they are able to steal from hardworking business
owners and their staff without fear of consequences. Today my government is
doing something about that. The community, shop owners and workers should not
put up with this. This includes business owners and their hardworking staff.
Quite frankly, they have had enough and so have I. That is why my government is
today launching a crackdown on criminals who repeatedly snub their nose at the
law. It includes new laws that will modernise fine-only penalty options to
include jail time. I want to be clear: this does not apply to someone who makes
one bad decision in their life. The crackdown will target serial shoplifters,
offenders who repeatedly ignore the expectations of the courts and the
community by flouting the law—specifically, offenders who have already
been convicted of stealing or attempted stealing twice or more in the 12 months
prior. In short, if you keep stealing, you will go to jail. It is a commonsense
sentencing option that will be made available to the courts.
Our city is growing its
international reputation off the back of our initiatives. In addition to
building a city that is filled with attractions and events, we are also putting
in place the policy and infrastructure to keep it safe. It was a pleasure to be
there with the Minister for Police and the Minister for Community Services
today, looking at the great investments we are making in policing in the city.
It will significantly improve community safety and support those who need
support in the community. We are immensely proud of this initiative.
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