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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 1022 asked in the Legislative Council on 18 November 2021 by Hon Dr Steve Thomas

Parliament: 41 Session: 1

POLICE — RECRUITMENT

1022. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the Minister for Police:

My question without notice, of which some notice has been given, is to the Minister for Health—sorry, Minister for Mental Health, for now!—representing the Minister for Police.

I refer to the McGowan government's media statement of 8 October 2020 titled ''More police on the streets to help keep WA safe and strong'', which included the statement —

The total number of new police funded by the McGowan Government since taking office is now 1,100 in total.

(1) Given that the State of the Western Australian government sector workforce 2020–21 report released today highlights that the number of sworn officers has increased by only 424 full-time equivalents since 2016–17, does the government still stand by its claim that as of 2020 it had increased police numbers by 1 100?

(2) If yes to (1), will the minister table the FTE numbers for every year that clearly show the increase in sworn FTE numbers?

(3) Why are the Public Sector Commissioner's numbers so different from the numbers that the government has publicly provided?

Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied:

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The following information has been provided to me by the Minister for Police. The Western Australia Police Force advises the following.

(1) The media statement refers to the fact that funding has been provided for 1 100 police officers since 2017–18. The commitment referred to in the statement was for an additional 1 100 police officers to be recruited by June 2024. The agency is progressing well in delivering all 1 100 police officers by June 2024.

(2) Police officer authorised strength as at 30 June 2017 was 6 228, as at 30 June 2018 was 6 269, as at 30 June 2019 was 6 370, as at 30 June 2020 was 6 423, and as at 30 June 2021 was 6 741.

(3) Not applicable.