Page 457 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 8 March 2006
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There is no doubt that episodically in this town various shopping centres get attacked by vandals and/or people intent on robbery. There is no doubt about that. But I point out to these people across the chamber: have a look at the stats. There has been a double-digit reduction in this sort of activity, thank you very much. The police, in my view, are doing an excellent job. If there is additional security required down there, if the traders are not comfortable with the speed of police response, I hope they would be very happy for me to arrange for a chat—have the local police come down there and talk to them about it. I would be very happy to do it, any time at all, and that invitation has been extended before.
Given that I have attended that shopping centre weekly since 1982, I do not believe that it is a hive of criminal activity. It has not been specifically targeted. We have ourselves an episode, and I have every confidence that our police will deal with that. In fact, I think it is a particularly safe shopping centre to go to and I am very happy to continue my patronage of it.
MRS BURKE: I ask a supplementary question. Minister, why have you not been briefed on the level of crime that has been recorded at the Erindale centre, given it was several days ago? Is this level of criminal activity typical of that that occurs at all shopping centres across the ACT?
MR HARGREAVES: I think I have partially answered that. For the benefit of members opposite, I receive a weekly briefing from the police unless there is an incident—
Mrs Burke: It is urgent. It was serious, John.
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mrs Burke!
Mr Quinlan: You are beating it up.
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Quinlan!
MR HARGREAVES: Mr Speaker, these folks opposite are beating up hysteria around the Erindale shopping centre, and they have been exposed. They ought to be ashamed of themselves. They ought to be providing more comfort to the people down there, not beating up their fears.
At this stage of the game, we have an episode of criminal attention that has spanned a number of days. They have not demonstrated that this centre has been frequently visited by these criminals every month for the last five years. They have not. Have they told us across the chamber what is the pattern?
Mr Pratt: Is that the criteria? Is that the standard?
MR SPEAKER: Mr Pratt, I warn you!
MR HARGREAVES: Mr Speaker, have they told us what is the story at Kaleen shops, at Kippax shops, at Dickson shops? No, they have not. What they have done is pull out one particular one and try to scare the horses—yet again. I reject that. I am going to seek
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