❓ Hon Robin Scott asks about the WA Police Force's methods for verifying travel exemption claims and resource allocation at intrastate checkpoints during COVID-19 restrictions. The Minister's response addresses exemption guidelines but defers specific details on police resources and arrests due to the emergency situation.
AnsweredQoN 306Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS —
INTRASTATE TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
306. Hon ROBIN SCOTT to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I ask this question on behalf of Hon
Colin Tincknell, who is on urgent parliamentary business.
I refer to the ban on travelling
within the state, and note the reports that the WA Police Force would be
setting up checkpoints on major roads to check that people are permitted to
cross the regional borders.
(1) How will WA
police officers be testing the claims of travellers who say that they have an
exemption and are able to travel for work or other exempt purposes?
(2) How many
police resources have been deployed to such checkpoints?
(3) How many
arrests have been made to date for the offence of breaking the ban and crossing
a regional border without a valid exemption?
INTRASTATE TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
306. Hon ROBIN SCOTT to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I ask this question on behalf of Hon
Colin Tincknell, who is on urgent parliamentary business.
I refer to the ban on travelling
within the state, and note the reports that the WA Police Force would be
setting up checkpoints on major roads to check that people are permitted to
cross the regional borders.
(1) How will WA
police officers be testing the claims of travellers who say that they have an
exemption and are able to travel for work or other exempt purposes?
(2) How many
police resources have been deployed to such checkpoints?
(3) How many
arrests have been made to date for the offence of breaking the ban and crossing
a regional border without a valid exemption?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me by
the Minister for Police.
(1) On 27 March
2020, the Premier outlined that there are exemptions in the directive issued by
the State Emergency Coordinator that will
allow people to continue to travel for work, deliver freight, attend medical
appointments and travel on compassionate grounds. The government urges all Western
Australians to remain calm and take the time to ensure that they understand the
new restrictions and the exemptions. People are encouraged, when possible, to
assist police by preparing documentation, such as a letter, email or SMS from
an employer, to support their legitimate travel. The state government is
providing detailed information to the public via its own website, and a COVID-19
call centre is in the process of being established to assist the community in
meeting their obligations under the current state of emergency.
(2)–(3) Due
to the state of emergency and staff working on COVID-19 priorities, the Western
Australia Police Force is unable to answer these questions in the time
provided. The honourable member may wish to put the questions on notice.
some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me by
the Minister for Police.
(1) On 27 March
2020, the Premier outlined that there are exemptions in the directive issued by
the State Emergency Coordinator that will
allow people to continue to travel for work, deliver freight, attend medical
appointments and travel on compassionate grounds. The government urges all Western
Australians to remain calm and take the time to ensure that they understand the
new restrictions and the exemptions. People are encouraged, when possible, to
assist police by preparing documentation, such as a letter, email or SMS from
an employer, to support their legitimate travel. The state government is
providing detailed information to the public via its own website, and a COVID-19
call centre is in the process of being established to assist the community in
meeting their obligations under the current state of emergency.
(2)–(3) Due
to the state of emergency and staff working on COVID-19 priorities, the Western
Australia Police Force is unable to answer these questions in the time
provided. The honourable member may wish to put the questions on notice.
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