❓ Mr Waldron questions the closure of six country police stations and lack of consultation. Mr Kobelke avoids a direct answer, stating the Police Commissioner controls resource allocation and assures no reduction in regional officers.
AnsweredQoN 359Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
COUNTRY POLICE STATION CLOSURES
As we are speaking about investing in the state’s future, I refer to the government’s closure of six country police stations, and the total lack of consultation with both local government and the broader community on this issue, and I ask - (1) Will the minister give an undertaking to immediately review the decision to close these stations, and acknowledge the community concerns by reopening these six stations? (2) Will the minister give a guarantee that there will be no further closures of country police stations in the next 18 months? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
As we are speaking about investing in the state’s future, I refer to the government’s closure of six country police stations, and the total lack of consultation with both local government and the broader community on this issue, and I ask - (1) Will the minister give an undertaking to immediately review the decision to close these stations, and acknowledge the community concerns by reopening these six stations? (2) Will the minister give a guarantee that there will be no further closures of country police stations in the next 18 months? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) This question is, in part, based on the hypothesis that I actually control the closure of police stations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is interesting that when we are dealing with a serious issue, the opposition is just full of guffaws, and of yelling and shouting abuse. Perhaps that is reflected by the opposition’s low standing in the polls. People do not respect members of the opposition, because they have no respect for the serious issues. Policing throughout Western Australia is a very important issue and one that the opposition should not be treating in such a light-hearted or abusive way as we have seen in those interjections. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Can the member not see that I am standing? I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time, and I warn her not to speak when I am on my feet. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
(1) Will the minister give an undertaking to immediately review the decision to close these stations, and acknowledge the community concerns by reopening these six stations? (2) Will the minister give a guarantee that there will be no further closures of country police stations in the next 18 months? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) This question is, in part, based on the hypothesis that I actually control the closure of police stations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is interesting that when we are dealing with a serious issue, the opposition is just full of guffaws, and of yelling and shouting abuse. Perhaps that is reflected by the opposition’s low standing in the polls. People do not respect members of the opposition, because they have no respect for the serious issues. Policing throughout Western Australia is a very important issue and one that the opposition should not be treating in such a light-hearted or abusive way as we have seen in those interjections. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Can the member not see that I am standing? I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time, and I warn her not to speak when I am on my feet. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
(2) Will the minister give a guarantee that there will be no further closures of country police stations in the next 18 months? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) This question is, in part, based on the hypothesis that I actually control the closure of police stations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is interesting that when we are dealing with a serious issue, the opposition is just full of guffaws, and of yelling and shouting abuse. Perhaps that is reflected by the opposition’s low standing in the polls. People do not respect members of the opposition, because they have no respect for the serious issues. Policing throughout Western Australia is a very important issue and one that the opposition should not be treating in such a light-hearted or abusive way as we have seen in those interjections. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Can the member not see that I am standing? I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time, and I warn her not to speak when I am on my feet. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) This question is, in part, based on the hypothesis that I actually control the closure of police stations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is interesting that when we are dealing with a serious issue, the opposition is just full of guffaws, and of yelling and shouting abuse. Perhaps that is reflected by the opposition’s low standing in the polls. People do not respect members of the opposition, because they have no respect for the serious issues. Policing throughout Western Australia is a very important issue and one that the opposition should not be treating in such a light-hearted or abusive way as we have seen in those interjections. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Can the member not see that I am standing? I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time, and I warn her not to speak when I am on my feet. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
(1)-(2) This question is, in part, based on the hypothesis that I actually control the closure of police stations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is interesting that when we are dealing with a serious issue, the opposition is just full of guffaws, and of yelling and shouting abuse. Perhaps that is reflected by the opposition’s low standing in the polls. People do not respect members of the opposition, because they have no respect for the serious issues. Policing throughout Western Australia is a very important issue and one that the opposition should not be treating in such a light-hearted or abusive way as we have seen in those interjections. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Can the member not see that I am standing? I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time, and I warn her not to speak when I am on my feet. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is interesting that when we are dealing with a serious issue, the opposition is just full of guffaws, and of yelling and shouting abuse. Perhaps that is reflected by the opposition’s low standing in the polls. People do not respect members of the opposition, because they have no respect for the serious issues. Policing throughout Western Australia is a very important issue and one that the opposition should not be treating in such a light-hearted or abusive way as we have seen in those interjections. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Can the member not see that I am standing? I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time, and I warn her not to speak when I am on my feet. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is interesting that when we are dealing with a serious issue, the opposition is just full of guffaws, and of yelling and shouting abuse. Perhaps that is reflected by the opposition’s low standing in the polls. People do not respect members of the opposition, because they have no respect for the serious issues. Policing throughout Western Australia is a very important issue and one that the opposition should not be treating in such a light-hearted or abusive way as we have seen in those interjections. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Can the member not see that I am standing? I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time, and I warn her not to speak when I am on my feet. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is interesting that when we are dealing with a serious issue, the opposition is just full of guffaws, and of yelling and shouting abuse. Perhaps that is reflected by the opposition’s low standing in the polls. People do not respect members of the opposition, because they have no respect for the serious issues. Policing throughout Western Australia is a very important issue and one that the opposition should not be treating in such a light-hearted or abusive way as we have seen in those interjections. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Can the member not see that I am standing? I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time, and I warn her not to speak when I am on my feet. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Can the member not see that I am standing? I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time, and I warn her not to speak when I am on my feet. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Can the member not see that I am standing? I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time, and I warn her not to speak when I am on my feet. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Can the member not see that I am standing? I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time, and I warn her not to speak when I am on my feet. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
The SPEAKER : Order! Can the member not see that I am standing? I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time, and I warn her not to speak when I am on my feet. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
(1) Will the minister give an undertaking to immediately review the decision to close these stations, and acknowledge the community concerns by reopening these six stations? (2) Will the minister give a guarantee that there will be no further closures of country police stations in the next 18 months? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) This question is, in part, based on the hypothesis that I actually control the closure of police stations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is interesting that when we are dealing with a serious issue, the opposition is just full of guffaws, and of yelling and shouting abuse. Perhaps that is reflected by the opposition’s low standing in the polls. People do not respect members of the opposition, because they have no respect for the serious issues. Policing throughout Western Australia is a very important issue and one that the opposition should not be treating in such a light-hearted or abusive way as we have seen in those interjections. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Can the member not see that I am standing? I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time, and I warn her not to speak when I am on my feet. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
(2) Will the minister give a guarantee that there will be no further closures of country police stations in the next 18 months? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) This question is, in part, based on the hypothesis that I actually control the closure of police stations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is interesting that when we are dealing with a serious issue, the opposition is just full of guffaws, and of yelling and shouting abuse. Perhaps that is reflected by the opposition’s low standing in the polls. People do not respect members of the opposition, because they have no respect for the serious issues. Policing throughout Western Australia is a very important issue and one that the opposition should not be treating in such a light-hearted or abusive way as we have seen in those interjections. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Can the member not see that I am standing? I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time, and I warn her not to speak when I am on my feet. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) This question is, in part, based on the hypothesis that I actually control the closure of police stations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is interesting that when we are dealing with a serious issue, the opposition is just full of guffaws, and of yelling and shouting abuse. Perhaps that is reflected by the opposition’s low standing in the polls. People do not respect members of the opposition, because they have no respect for the serious issues. Policing throughout Western Australia is a very important issue and one that the opposition should not be treating in such a light-hearted or abusive way as we have seen in those interjections. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Can the member not see that I am standing? I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time, and I warn her not to speak when I am on my feet. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
(1)-(2) This question is, in part, based on the hypothesis that I actually control the closure of police stations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is interesting that when we are dealing with a serious issue, the opposition is just full of guffaws, and of yelling and shouting abuse. Perhaps that is reflected by the opposition’s low standing in the polls. People do not respect members of the opposition, because they have no respect for the serious issues. Policing throughout Western Australia is a very important issue and one that the opposition should not be treating in such a light-hearted or abusive way as we have seen in those interjections. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Can the member not see that I am standing? I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time, and I warn her not to speak when I am on my feet. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is interesting that when we are dealing with a serious issue, the opposition is just full of guffaws, and of yelling and shouting abuse. Perhaps that is reflected by the opposition’s low standing in the polls. People do not respect members of the opposition, because they have no respect for the serious issues. Policing throughout Western Australia is a very important issue and one that the opposition should not be treating in such a light-hearted or abusive way as we have seen in those interjections. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Can the member not see that I am standing? I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time, and I warn her not to speak when I am on my feet. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is interesting that when we are dealing with a serious issue, the opposition is just full of guffaws, and of yelling and shouting abuse. Perhaps that is reflected by the opposition’s low standing in the polls. People do not respect members of the opposition, because they have no respect for the serious issues. Policing throughout Western Australia is a very important issue and one that the opposition should not be treating in such a light-hearted or abusive way as we have seen in those interjections. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Can the member not see that I am standing? I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time, and I warn her not to speak when I am on my feet. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : It is interesting that when we are dealing with a serious issue, the opposition is just full of guffaws, and of yelling and shouting abuse. Perhaps that is reflected by the opposition’s low standing in the polls. People do not respect members of the opposition, because they have no respect for the serious issues. Policing throughout Western Australia is a very important issue and one that the opposition should not be treating in such a light-hearted or abusive way as we have seen in those interjections. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Can the member not see that I am standing? I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time, and I warn her not to speak when I am on my feet. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Can the member not see that I am standing? I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time, and I warn her not to speak when I am on my feet. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
The SPEAKER : Order! Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Can the member not see that I am standing? I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time, and I warn her not to speak when I am on my feet. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Can the member not see that I am standing? I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time, and I warn her not to speak when I am on my feet. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
The SPEAKER : Order! Can the member not see that I am standing? I call the member for Alfred Cove to order for the first time, and I warn her not to speak when I am on my feet. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The issue is that as a government we provide funding for the building of new police stations, and that gives us a direct say in where new police stations will be built. However, when it comes to the allocation of resources, that matter is for the Commissioner of Police. I fully support the decision of the commissioner, because I believe the commissioner is doing an outstanding job. He is seeking to protect people right across Western Australia, and he wants to use all his officers to maximum efficiency. The commissioner gave me a clear undertaking that when those particular stations were closed, there would be no reduction in the number of officers in those regions. I understand that is certainly what has happened. The officers are still in the regions. I am not sure who it was on the other side who asked for the numbers - Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr P.D. Omodei : Were you consulted on it, or not? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I answered a question from a member on the opposition side with respect to where the police numbers are. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : That showed clearly that the growth in police numbers has been disproportionately in favour of regional Western Australia rather than the city. This government has a very good record of providing improved policing in regional Western Australia, and the opposition cannot in any way mount a case to the contrary, as much as some people might like to do that. It is populist to say things that are false and misleading just because that supports one’s position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Murray for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The problem, Mr Speaker, is that members opposite are quite happy to say things that are false and misleading because they think that somehow advances their position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Alfred Cove, the member for Dawesville and the member for Darling Range. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : However, sooner or later, members opposite may realise that there is a direct relationship between their very low standing in the polls, and the fact that the people of this state have as a general position no respect for the opposition. Some individual members clearly work very well in their electorates and are recognised. However, if members of the opposition continue to treat these serious matters as things they can yell and shout about, and if they continue to say things that are totally false, they will continue to get no respect from the people of Western Australia. The member asking the question is rightly asking about a matter of great concern to his constituents. His constituents are concerned that police officers may be leaving their particular town. I certainly have received an assurance that, in most areas, policing will be improved. The real concern is that in most of these small country towns, it is the loss of a resident, or two or three, that really impacts. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr M.W. Trenorden : Rubbish! Where do you get that from? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Is the member for Avon saying that small country towns do not want to hold onto residents who are government workers? Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Avon to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The reason I accepted the undertaking that policing will improve is that in many of the towns in which police stations have closed, police officers are present for very little of the time anyway. In the case of one of these police stations, officers do not actually live there; they fly in and fly out. As a result of the operational procedures that are now required, there are certain situations to which a single officer cannot respond. When an officer is on sick leave, on holiday or at court performing other duties, there are a range of particular events that a single officer cannot respond to. In a number of the areas to which the member referred in his question, the police station has closed and an officer has been sent to a town in the vicinity, so the police complement in such towns goes from two officers to three officers. That will improve operational ability and response times, and policing throughout that region will be improved, not reduced.
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