Page 4558 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 26 November 2019
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they can, with their crime disruption team, work for the benefit of the ACT community in disrupting crime and reducing crime as we go forward.
It is a difficult situation when we see violence like this in our suburbs but I can assure the ACT community and indeed the parliament here that we are doing everything we can to resource our police to ensure that they have not only the numbers but also the resources to combat this crime. Our ACT police are working in an intelligence-led way to ensure that they work as best they can to reduce this sort of crime. That is why our investments are so strong.
MR MILLIGAN: Minister, when can residents of Gungahlin begin to see the benefits of your plan?
MR GENTLEMAN: We have seen a reduction in crime generally across the ACT over recent years. That is because we have resourced our ACT police, and they have done the strategic work with the community, including by their crime disruption team, to ensure the safety of Canberrans into the future. It has been pleasing to see that general crime trends have gone down. Overall offences reported for the 2018-19 financial year show a decrease of 5.9 per cent, or 2,047 offences, when compared to the previous financial year. Theft is down 12.5 per cent or 1,226 offences. We will continue to invest in our police. They will continue to work as best they can for our community.
MR COE: Minister, if increasing police numbers is the answer to reducing crime, why did successive Labor governments cut front-line police?
MR GENTLEMAN: I made it my mission to increase numbers and invest in ACT Policing. If we look at the most recent years, we have increased ACT Policing front-line officers from 677 to 710, and will continue to invest, unlike those opposite, who raise the scare campaign, advising Canberrans that it is a rough and tough place to live. It is a safe city. We will continue to invest in ACT Policing.
Crime—Molonglo Valley
MR HANSON: My question is to the minister for police. Minister, last year’s published Canberra crime statistics noted that the largest rise by region was the Molonglo Valley, Canberra’s newest district. They further noted that one of the biggest hikes included the suburb of Coombs. This year it is reported that burglars were targeting homes in Coombs, with three homes broken into in a single afternoon. Minister, what is your plan to tackle the issue of robberies in the Molonglo Valley?
MR GENTLEMAN: My plan is to invest in ACT Policing and allow them to implement their operational strategy to reduce crime across the area. To keep our city safe as it grows, the ACT government is providing $34 million to ACT Policing. This investment will see more police on our streets.
In relation to the Molonglo Valley, I have spoken directly to the Chief Police Officer. He has advised that crime in the area is comparable to other suburbs and areas within
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