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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 11 Hansard (22 October) . . Page.. 3952 ..

MR PRATT (continuing):

government's position. But of course we shouldn't forget that Mr Quinlan was the police minister in 2002 and has a lot to answer for about these declining performances.

Mr Deputy Speaker, following Mr Hargreaves' sluggish rambling about how we do not need additional police and that I am over reacting with this motion, I would like to pick up on the one very rare worthy point that he did make about additional police officers and associated equipment. Mr Deputy Speaker, the Canberra Liberals have launched the creative Canberra policy platform for the next election. Part of this policy platform is to diversify the economic base by introducing new and creative industries to Canberra so that we don't have to rely solely on taxes and traditional revenues to resource new initiatives. (Extension of time granted.)

As I was saying, Mr Deputy Speaker, we don't have to rely solely on taxes and traditional revenues to resource new initiatives such as community policing. Mr Quinlan might have to. He might have to exercise no imagination and just take us down the same old path of land tax revenues, but we have a more productive and a more positive approach. And we will pay for our core programs such as education, health and policing through that diverse, creative approach. Learn something, Ted. Listen. Mr Deputy Speaker, this creative Canberra platform, we anticipate, will allow the Canberra Liberals to fund new initiatives and complement the traditional policies with innovative policies such as this one.

Mr Deputy Speaker I would like to see what Mr Hargreaves' reaction would be if his house had been robbed. What would he say about the lack of resources? In finishing up, the community understands that some pretty fundamental things in our society, nationally and here, are breaking down in terms of the fast, demanding pace of life, and in terms of the increasing breakdown of family life, and particularly families at risk. Mr Deputy Speaker, the community is sympathetic with these societal trends, and the community understands the causal link between such trends and crime.

Consequently, we in the community have all bent over backwards for years to cut some slack with certain categories of offenders. But, Mr Deputy Speaker, the community's deep concern with the increase in crime means that society's ills can no longer be an excuse for a community not equipped to confront crime. The community understands that this growing challenge must be carried by many departments operating in sync, and clearly lead by courts being sensible, which currently they are not.

Mr Deputy Speaker, the community is sick and tired of the soft-on-crime approach by many of our colleagues in this place and by politicians in many other places. Mr Deputy Speaker, the community understands that our police force must be better equipped and supported to take the fight to growing crime and to make Canberra a safer place.

Question put:

At 5.00 pm, in accordance with standing order 34, the motion for the adjournment of the Assembly was put and negatived.

The Assembly voted-

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