Page 3382 - Week 09 - Thursday, 24 August 2017
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Let me go to policing. The ACT 2017-18 budget provides funding of $12.3 million over four years to better support ACT Policing’s operations. New initiatives supported over four years include $4.9 million over the four years to employ an additional six officers to support safer nightlife and entertainment precincts; $2.7 million over the years to provide ACT Policing officers with greater access to tasers; and $2.6 million over the years to implement a number of security enhancements at ACT Policing facilities to improve safety for its staff and the visiting public. There is also $2.1 million over two years to undertake a review of ACT Policing’s current operating model and infrastructure requirements to define a future service delivery model and master accommodation plan. The cost of some of these initiatives will be partly offset by ACT Policing redirecting some of their existing resources.
In addition to these new initiatives, the 2017-18 budget supports a safe and secure community through a $6.9 million investment over four years from the budget for additional resourcing for ACT Policing to strengthen responses to outlaw motorcycle gang activity in the ACT. This initiative was announced by the ACT government in August last year and provides extra resourcing for Taskforce Nemesis, ensuring that ACT Policing can effectively target organised crime without diverting existing front-line police resources.
An increase in funding to provide for a new AFP enterprise agreement and for a contribution to the fit-out of the modern maritime facility for ACT Policing to support water operations also supports a safe and secure community through the 2017-18 budget.
The government is committed to building a safer community, with a strong focus on promoting a safe, diverse and vibrant night economy. This includes initiatives to cut unnecessary red tape, improve the vibrancy of Canberra’s nightlife, reduce alcohol-related harm and keep people safe.
To support these initiatives, the 2017-18 budget provides $4.9 million over four years for extra police patrols to support safer nightlife precincts in the city. The funding also covers an education campaign for the responsible consumption of alcohol. The additional police resources will provide greater coverage of the broader ACT, focusing on regional centres and entertainment precincts; increase proactive liquor licensing enforcement activities and programs, including enforcement of new offences and increased enforcement of existing offences; increase collaboration with Access Canberra liquor enforcement teams; develop targeted campaigns with key ACT government stakeholders; and support the regional targeting team officers being deployed to major ACT events as experts in liquor legislation enforcement.
The government is committed to the safety of the public and police officers, with additional funding to provide significantly more police with greater access to tasers. This equips more police with a less lethal use of force option and added personal security while they are protecting our community. This proposal implements the publicly announced election commitment made by Minister Barr to equip front-line police with tasers, including specialist training, governance and reporting arrangements.
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