❓ A WA parliamentary question regarding crime statistics in Western Australia compared to the Eastern States, based on claims made in an email. The Minister acknowledges the claims' basis in older data and provides updated figures.
AnsweredQoN 351Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware of an e-mail from a Thomas A Lawson to all members of Parliament dated 15 July 2000 concerning comments made by the Police Commissioner? (2) Is Mr Lawson correct when he claims that the Western Australian rate for crimes against the person is thirty one per cent higher than the average of the Eastern States? (3) If not, what is the percentage? (4) Is Mr Lawson correct when he claims that Western Australia property crime is fifty percent higher than the average of the Eastern States? (5) If not, what is the percentage? (6) Is Mr Lawson correct when he claims the combined crime rate is forty seven percent higher than the Eastern States? (7) If not, what is the percentage? Answered on 6 September 2000 The Minister
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
6 September 2000
Response time
28 days
1. Yes. 2-3 Yes. Mr Lawson appears to have used the Report on Government Services 2000, produced annually by the Productivity Commission, as a source of rates for crimes against the person and property crimes. The Report sources its crime rates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publication Recorded Crime Australia, 1998. However, the ABS has subsequently released Recorded Crime Australia 1999. Based on the more recent 1999 data, the Western Australian rate for crimes against the person is now only eight per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to the thirty one per cent. 4-5 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the Western Australian rate for property crimes is now thirty four per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to fifty per cent. 6-7 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the difference in the combined crime rate between Western Australia and the Eastern States average has reduced from four seven per cent to thirty one per cent.
(2) Is Mr Lawson correct when he claims that the Western Australian rate for crimes against the person is thirty one per cent higher than the average of the Eastern States? (3) If not, what is the percentage? (4) Is Mr Lawson correct when he claims that Western Australia property crime is fifty percent higher than the average of the Eastern States? (5) If not, what is the percentage? (6) Is Mr Lawson correct when he claims the combined crime rate is forty seven percent higher than the Eastern States? (7) If not, what is the percentage? Answered on 6 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. Yes. 2-3 Yes. Mr Lawson appears to have used the Report on Government Services 2000, produced annually by the Productivity Commission, as a source of rates for crimes against the person and property crimes. The Report sources its crime rates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publication Recorded Crime Australia, 1998. However, the ABS has subsequently released Recorded Crime Australia 1999. Based on the more recent 1999 data, the Western Australian rate for crimes against the person is now only eight per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to the thirty one per cent. 4-5 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the Western Australian rate for property crimes is now thirty four per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to fifty per cent. 6-7 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the difference in the combined crime rate between Western Australia and the Eastern States average has reduced from four seven per cent to thirty one per cent.
(3) If not, what is the percentage? (4) Is Mr Lawson correct when he claims that Western Australia property crime is fifty percent higher than the average of the Eastern States? (5) If not, what is the percentage? (6) Is Mr Lawson correct when he claims the combined crime rate is forty seven percent higher than the Eastern States? (7) If not, what is the percentage? Answered on 6 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. Yes. 2-3 Yes. Mr Lawson appears to have used the Report on Government Services 2000, produced annually by the Productivity Commission, as a source of rates for crimes against the person and property crimes. The Report sources its crime rates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publication Recorded Crime Australia, 1998. However, the ABS has subsequently released Recorded Crime Australia 1999. Based on the more recent 1999 data, the Western Australian rate for crimes against the person is now only eight per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to the thirty one per cent. 4-5 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the Western Australian rate for property crimes is now thirty four per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to fifty per cent. 6-7 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the difference in the combined crime rate between Western Australia and the Eastern States average has reduced from four seven per cent to thirty one per cent.
(4) Is Mr Lawson correct when he claims that Western Australia property crime is fifty percent higher than the average of the Eastern States? (5) If not, what is the percentage? (6) Is Mr Lawson correct when he claims the combined crime rate is forty seven percent higher than the Eastern States? (7) If not, what is the percentage? Answered on 6 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. Yes. 2-3 Yes. Mr Lawson appears to have used the Report on Government Services 2000, produced annually by the Productivity Commission, as a source of rates for crimes against the person and property crimes. The Report sources its crime rates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publication Recorded Crime Australia, 1998. However, the ABS has subsequently released Recorded Crime Australia 1999. Based on the more recent 1999 data, the Western Australian rate for crimes against the person is now only eight per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to the thirty one per cent. 4-5 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the Western Australian rate for property crimes is now thirty four per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to fifty per cent. 6-7 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the difference in the combined crime rate between Western Australia and the Eastern States average has reduced from four seven per cent to thirty one per cent.
(5) If not, what is the percentage? (6) Is Mr Lawson correct when he claims the combined crime rate is forty seven percent higher than the Eastern States? (7) If not, what is the percentage? Answered on 6 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. Yes. 2-3 Yes. Mr Lawson appears to have used the Report on Government Services 2000, produced annually by the Productivity Commission, as a source of rates for crimes against the person and property crimes. The Report sources its crime rates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publication Recorded Crime Australia, 1998. However, the ABS has subsequently released Recorded Crime Australia 1999. Based on the more recent 1999 data, the Western Australian rate for crimes against the person is now only eight per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to the thirty one per cent. 4-5 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the Western Australian rate for property crimes is now thirty four per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to fifty per cent. 6-7 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the difference in the combined crime rate between Western Australia and the Eastern States average has reduced from four seven per cent to thirty one per cent.
(6) Is Mr Lawson correct when he claims the combined crime rate is forty seven percent higher than the Eastern States? (7) If not, what is the percentage? Answered on 6 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. Yes. 2-3 Yes. Mr Lawson appears to have used the Report on Government Services 2000, produced annually by the Productivity Commission, as a source of rates for crimes against the person and property crimes. The Report sources its crime rates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publication Recorded Crime Australia, 1998. However, the ABS has subsequently released Recorded Crime Australia 1999. Based on the more recent 1999 data, the Western Australian rate for crimes against the person is now only eight per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to the thirty one per cent. 4-5 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the Western Australian rate for property crimes is now thirty four per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to fifty per cent. 6-7 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the difference in the combined crime rate between Western Australia and the Eastern States average has reduced from four seven per cent to thirty one per cent.
(7) If not, what is the percentage? Answered on 6 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. Yes. 2-3 Yes. Mr Lawson appears to have used the Report on Government Services 2000, produced annually by the Productivity Commission, as a source of rates for crimes against the person and property crimes. The Report sources its crime rates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publication Recorded Crime Australia, 1998. However, the ABS has subsequently released Recorded Crime Australia 1999. Based on the more recent 1999 data, the Western Australian rate for crimes against the person is now only eight per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to the thirty one per cent. 4-5 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the Western Australian rate for property crimes is now thirty four per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to fifty per cent. 6-7 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the difference in the combined crime rate between Western Australia and the Eastern States average has reduced from four seven per cent to thirty one per cent.
Answered on 6 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. Yes. 2-3 Yes. Mr Lawson appears to have used the Report on Government Services 2000, produced annually by the Productivity Commission, as a source of rates for crimes against the person and property crimes. The Report sources its crime rates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publication Recorded Crime Australia, 1998. However, the ABS has subsequently released Recorded Crime Australia 1999. Based on the more recent 1999 data, the Western Australian rate for crimes against the person is now only eight per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to the thirty one per cent. 4-5 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the Western Australian rate for property crimes is now thirty four per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to fifty per cent. 6-7 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the difference in the combined crime rate between Western Australia and the Eastern States average has reduced from four seven per cent to thirty one per cent.
(2) Is Mr Lawson correct when he claims that the Western Australian rate for crimes against the person is thirty one per cent higher than the average of the Eastern States? (3) If not, what is the percentage? (4) Is Mr Lawson correct when he claims that Western Australia property crime is fifty percent higher than the average of the Eastern States? (5) If not, what is the percentage? (6) Is Mr Lawson correct when he claims the combined crime rate is forty seven percent higher than the Eastern States? (7) If not, what is the percentage? Answered on 6 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. Yes. 2-3 Yes. Mr Lawson appears to have used the Report on Government Services 2000, produced annually by the Productivity Commission, as a source of rates for crimes against the person and property crimes. The Report sources its crime rates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publication Recorded Crime Australia, 1998. However, the ABS has subsequently released Recorded Crime Australia 1999. Based on the more recent 1999 data, the Western Australian rate for crimes against the person is now only eight per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to the thirty one per cent. 4-5 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the Western Australian rate for property crimes is now thirty four per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to fifty per cent. 6-7 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the difference in the combined crime rate between Western Australia and the Eastern States average has reduced from four seven per cent to thirty one per cent.
(3) If not, what is the percentage? (4) Is Mr Lawson correct when he claims that Western Australia property crime is fifty percent higher than the average of the Eastern States? (5) If not, what is the percentage? (6) Is Mr Lawson correct when he claims the combined crime rate is forty seven percent higher than the Eastern States? (7) If not, what is the percentage? Answered on 6 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. Yes. 2-3 Yes. Mr Lawson appears to have used the Report on Government Services 2000, produced annually by the Productivity Commission, as a source of rates for crimes against the person and property crimes. The Report sources its crime rates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publication Recorded Crime Australia, 1998. However, the ABS has subsequently released Recorded Crime Australia 1999. Based on the more recent 1999 data, the Western Australian rate for crimes against the person is now only eight per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to the thirty one per cent. 4-5 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the Western Australian rate for property crimes is now thirty four per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to fifty per cent. 6-7 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the difference in the combined crime rate between Western Australia and the Eastern States average has reduced from four seven per cent to thirty one per cent.
(4) Is Mr Lawson correct when he claims that Western Australia property crime is fifty percent higher than the average of the Eastern States? (5) If not, what is the percentage? (6) Is Mr Lawson correct when he claims the combined crime rate is forty seven percent higher than the Eastern States? (7) If not, what is the percentage? Answered on 6 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. Yes. 2-3 Yes. Mr Lawson appears to have used the Report on Government Services 2000, produced annually by the Productivity Commission, as a source of rates for crimes against the person and property crimes. The Report sources its crime rates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publication Recorded Crime Australia, 1998. However, the ABS has subsequently released Recorded Crime Australia 1999. Based on the more recent 1999 data, the Western Australian rate for crimes against the person is now only eight per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to the thirty one per cent. 4-5 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the Western Australian rate for property crimes is now thirty four per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to fifty per cent. 6-7 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the difference in the combined crime rate between Western Australia and the Eastern States average has reduced from four seven per cent to thirty one per cent.
(5) If not, what is the percentage? (6) Is Mr Lawson correct when he claims the combined crime rate is forty seven percent higher than the Eastern States? (7) If not, what is the percentage? Answered on 6 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. Yes. 2-3 Yes. Mr Lawson appears to have used the Report on Government Services 2000, produced annually by the Productivity Commission, as a source of rates for crimes against the person and property crimes. The Report sources its crime rates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publication Recorded Crime Australia, 1998. However, the ABS has subsequently released Recorded Crime Australia 1999. Based on the more recent 1999 data, the Western Australian rate for crimes against the person is now only eight per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to the thirty one per cent. 4-5 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the Western Australian rate for property crimes is now thirty four per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to fifty per cent. 6-7 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the difference in the combined crime rate between Western Australia and the Eastern States average has reduced from four seven per cent to thirty one per cent.
(6) Is Mr Lawson correct when he claims the combined crime rate is forty seven percent higher than the Eastern States? (7) If not, what is the percentage? Answered on 6 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. Yes. 2-3 Yes. Mr Lawson appears to have used the Report on Government Services 2000, produced annually by the Productivity Commission, as a source of rates for crimes against the person and property crimes. The Report sources its crime rates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publication Recorded Crime Australia, 1998. However, the ABS has subsequently released Recorded Crime Australia 1999. Based on the more recent 1999 data, the Western Australian rate for crimes against the person is now only eight per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to the thirty one per cent. 4-5 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the Western Australian rate for property crimes is now thirty four per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to fifty per cent. 6-7 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the difference in the combined crime rate between Western Australia and the Eastern States average has reduced from four seven per cent to thirty one per cent.
(7) If not, what is the percentage? Answered on 6 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. Yes. 2-3 Yes. Mr Lawson appears to have used the Report on Government Services 2000, produced annually by the Productivity Commission, as a source of rates for crimes against the person and property crimes. The Report sources its crime rates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publication Recorded Crime Australia, 1998. However, the ABS has subsequently released Recorded Crime Australia 1999. Based on the more recent 1999 data, the Western Australian rate for crimes against the person is now only eight per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to the thirty one per cent. 4-5 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the Western Australian rate for property crimes is now thirty four per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to fifty per cent. 6-7 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the difference in the combined crime rate between Western Australia and the Eastern States average has reduced from four seven per cent to thirty one per cent.
Answered on 6 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. Yes. 2-3 Yes. Mr Lawson appears to have used the Report on Government Services 2000, produced annually by the Productivity Commission, as a source of rates for crimes against the person and property crimes. The Report sources its crime rates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publication Recorded Crime Australia, 1998. However, the ABS has subsequently released Recorded Crime Australia 1999. Based on the more recent 1999 data, the Western Australian rate for crimes against the person is now only eight per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to the thirty one per cent. 4-5 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the Western Australian rate for property crimes is now thirty four per cent higher than the average rate for the Eastern States (including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory) in comparison to fifty per cent. 6-7 Yes. However, again more recent data from the publication Recorded Crime Australia 1999, shows that the difference in the combined crime rate between Western Australia and the Eastern States average has reduced from four seven per cent to thirty one per cent.
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