Page 2772 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 13 August 2019
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MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Mr Gupta for his question and his interest in safety across the ACT. Thanks to the investments this government is making we will see more police on our streets. By working with police, in the coming years we will move towards a more proactive model of policing. This will mean having more police out from behind the desk and on our streets. Because of the prudent economic management of this government, led by the Chief Minister, we have been able to make this investment.
Through careful, thoughtful, nation-leading tax reform, ACT Labor has been able to show that you can grow jobs and grow services in a sustainable manner. The only way to invest almost $34 million in the hardworking members of ACT Policing is to have a sustainable economy. This is what this government is doing. We are growing services and investing in the things that a growing Canberra needs.
But there is a threat. If you hear the Canberra Liberals talk about more efficiency and removing red tape, this means only one thing: cuts. We have heard these words before. Remember Mr Abbott! He promised no cuts and more efficiency. We know how that went: cuts to healthcare, cuts to education and services. Only this government will invest in our police and other front-line services, helping build our city and keeping it safe as the city grows.
MR GUPTA: Minister, what resources has the government provided to police?
MR GENTLEMAN: This government is providing almost $34 million over the coming years. This is in addition to the support we are providing to other emergency services. It is one of the largest investments in ACT Policing and will see a change in how police operate. We are helping ACT police move towards a more proactive model of policing: a model that the police have said they want to do.
This government’s investment will mean more ACT Policing members on our streets. It will see more engagement with our community, building relationships. It will also see more than 60 new members join, in a range of roles within ACT Policing. This year’s investment builds on investments made in the most recent budget and those before it. In the most recent budget we are providing better tools and technology for police officers, building on our investment, made through recent budgets, in new mobile devices, tasers and body-worn cameras.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR GENTLEMAN: Madam Speaker, we are making investments now and preparing for the future. We are putting more ACT police members on the streets and delivering new technology to help them keep our community safe. Our actions contrast with the negativity of those opposite. You just heard them shouting across the chamber, Madam Speaker. Their vision is cuts; that is the only option under the reckless economic policies adopted by them, policies that favour their mates.
Opposition members interjecting—
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