Page 4561 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 26 November 2019
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
chamber invest in ACT Policing, and we allow them to conduct their specific operations, which they have the skill and talent to do.
Crime—north Canberra
MISS C BURCH: My question is to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Minister, the ACT Policing website tells us that until September 2019 the incidence of crimes and assault, sexual assault and burglary in Canberra’s inner north was well above that in all other districts in Canberra. Minister, what is your plan to tackle this rate of crime in the inner north?
MR GENTLEMAN: I repeat that the plan is to keep investing in ACT police, in a modern police force that is intelligence-led in the way that they operate across the ACT. In relation to statistics, you will see them drift and operate up and down in various jurisdictions across the ACT. I continue to reiterate, however, that crime is trending down across the ACT. That is reported in our statistics. It is a result of the work that ACT Policing do and the investment that we have put into it.
MISS C BURCH: Minister, when will residents of the inner north of Canberra see a reduction in the rate of crime specifically in their area?
MR GENTLEMAN: I will continue to say that crime varies in every different jurisdiction. It is normally opportunistic when it comes to burglary and vehicle theft. We have seen that in the statistics provided by ACT Policing and published across the ACT. I will continue to reiterate the Chief Police Officer’s words, and those of the previous Chief Police Officer, that Canberra is a safe city. We will continue those investments, and they will continue the work on the ground.
MS LEE: Minister, are the residents of the inner north wrong when they say that they are fearful of Canberra’s highest levels of assault, sexual assault and burglary?
MR GENTLEMAN: The Canberra Liberals are scaremongering, talking about alleged crime and slurring our police force. The data in the annual report shows that the community has a high regard for our police. They feel safe in the city. That is reported in those statistics.
I ask the opposition to have a think about how they describe the operations of ACT police. We want to look after them. That is why on this side of the chamber we will continue to invest in our front-line officers and give them an opportunity to move into a new policing model.
Alexander Maconochie Centre—safety
MR WALL: My question is to the Minister for Corrections and Justice Health. Minister, according to the Productivity Commission’s report on government services, the AMC has one of the highest prisoner-on-guard assault rates in the nation. Minister, why does the AMC have one of the highest assault rates in the country?
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video