❓ Opposition MP Omodei questions Premier Carpenter's involvement in country police station closures, contrasting it with his earlier stance on police resource allocation and his taking credit for a new station opening. Carpenter denies involvement in the closures, highlighting the Warmun station's unique nature.
AnsweredQoN 341Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
HILTON POLICE STATION
I refer to comments made by the Premier in September 1997 in relation to the closure of the Hilton Police Station. The Premier stated - We cannot leave it to the police superintendent or commissioner to decide where the police will do their work. As parliamentarians we have a role in trying to decide where police resources will be allocated. (1) Given these comments, what involvement did the Premier or the Minister for Police and Emergency Services have in the decision to close six country police stations at Dumbleyung, Cranbrook, Trayning, Wickepin, Gascoyne Junction and Menzies? (2) Can the Premier explain why he took credit for opening the new $3 million police station at Warmun on Friday, but refused to have anything to do with the closure of the six country police stations? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
I refer to comments made by the Premier in September 1997 in relation to the closure of the Hilton Police Station. The Premier stated - We cannot leave it to the police superintendent or commissioner to decide where the police will do their work. As parliamentarians we have a role in trying to decide where police resources will be allocated. (1) Given these comments, what involvement did the Premier or the Minister for Police and Emergency Services have in the decision to close six country police stations at Dumbleyung, Cranbrook, Trayning, Wickepin, Gascoyne Junction and Menzies? (2) Can the Premier explain why he took credit for opening the new $3 million police station at Warmun on Friday, but refused to have anything to do with the closure of the six country police stations? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
(1) None; I had no role in that decision, other than to be informed. I congratulate the Leader of the Opposition for his research into the 1997 statements; that is good. As I understand it, the Hilton Police Station was the first police station in Western Australia to be reopened. (2) It is a multifunction police facility. It is more than just a police station. It came about as a result of the recommendations of the Gordon inquiry, and that, of course, engaged departments other than the police.
(2) Can the Premier explain why he took credit for opening the new $3 million police station at Warmun on Friday, but refused to have anything to do with the closure of the six country police stations? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1) None; I had no role in that decision, other than to be informed. I congratulate the Leader of the Opposition for his research into the 1997 statements; that is good. As I understand it, the Hilton Police Station was the first police station in Western Australia to be reopened. (2) It is a multifunction police facility. It is more than just a police station. It came about as a result of the recommendations of the Gordon inquiry, and that, of course, engaged departments other than the police.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1) None; I had no role in that decision, other than to be informed. I congratulate the Leader of the Opposition for his research into the 1997 statements; that is good. As I understand it, the Hilton Police Station was the first police station in Western Australia to be reopened. (2) It is a multifunction police facility. It is more than just a police station. It came about as a result of the recommendations of the Gordon inquiry, and that, of course, engaged departments other than the police.
(1) None; I had no role in that decision, other than to be informed. I congratulate the Leader of the Opposition for his research into the 1997 statements; that is good. As I understand it, the Hilton Police Station was the first police station in Western Australia to be reopened. (2) It is a multifunction police facility. It is more than just a police station. It came about as a result of the recommendations of the Gordon inquiry, and that, of course, engaged departments other than the police.
(2) It is a multifunction police facility. It is more than just a police station. It came about as a result of the recommendations of the Gordon inquiry, and that, of course, engaged departments other than the police.
(2) Can the Premier explain why he took credit for opening the new $3 million police station at Warmun on Friday, but refused to have anything to do with the closure of the six country police stations? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1) None; I had no role in that decision, other than to be informed. I congratulate the Leader of the Opposition for his research into the 1997 statements; that is good. As I understand it, the Hilton Police Station was the first police station in Western Australia to be reopened. (2) It is a multifunction police facility. It is more than just a police station. It came about as a result of the recommendations of the Gordon inquiry, and that, of course, engaged departments other than the police.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1) None; I had no role in that decision, other than to be informed. I congratulate the Leader of the Opposition for his research into the 1997 statements; that is good. As I understand it, the Hilton Police Station was the first police station in Western Australia to be reopened. (2) It is a multifunction police facility. It is more than just a police station. It came about as a result of the recommendations of the Gordon inquiry, and that, of course, engaged departments other than the police.
(1) None; I had no role in that decision, other than to be informed. I congratulate the Leader of the Opposition for his research into the 1997 statements; that is good. As I understand it, the Hilton Police Station was the first police station in Western Australia to be reopened. (2) It is a multifunction police facility. It is more than just a police station. It came about as a result of the recommendations of the Gordon inquiry, and that, of course, engaged departments other than the police.
(2) It is a multifunction police facility. It is more than just a police station. It came about as a result of the recommendations of the Gordon inquiry, and that, of course, engaged departments other than the police.
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