Question On Notice No. 1185 asked in the Legislative Council on 8 May 2018 by Hon Martin Aldridge
Question Directed to the: Minister for Environment representing the Minister for Police
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
I refer to an article published in Busselton Dunsborough Times on 4 May 2018, Police resources stretched, and I ask:
(a) which court locations in Western Australia rely upon Western Australia Police (WAPOL) to provide security services;
(b) of those identified in (a), on how many occasions this financial year and at what locations have officers been required to provide court security services;
(c) does the Minister support the use of the WAPOL to provide security services to courts falling outside of the 'Court Security and Custodial Services contract' mentioned in the article; and
(d) when is the contract mentioned above due for renewal and when was it last renewed?
Answered on 27 June 2018
(a-d) The Western Australia Police Force advises the following
The WA Police Force provides security at the following locations: Broome (only for Justices of the Peace court), Derby (only for Justices of the Peace court), Fitzroy Crossing, Wyndam, Halls Creek, Warmun, Dampier, Kalumburu, Balgo, Bidyadanga, and Looma in the Kimberley; Karratha, Newman, Roebourne, Tom Price, Exmouth, Pannawonica, Nullagine, Marble Bar, Onslow, Jigalong, and Yandeyarra in the Pilbara; Esperance, Coolgardie, Norseman, Eucla, Leonora, Laverton, Warburton, Wiluna, Blackstone, and Kintore in the Goldfields; Katanning, Narrogin, Ravensthorpe, Gnowangerup, Kojonup, Pingelly, Lake Grace, Corrigin, Mt Barker, Wagin in the Great Southern; Busselton, Margaret River, Augusta, Harvey, Collie, Donnybrook, Bridgetown, and Manjimup in the South West; Geraldton (only for Justices of the Peace court), Dongara, Leeman, Jurien Bay, Three Springs, Mullewa, Morawa, Cue, Meekatharra, Burringurrah MFPF, Shark Bay, Kalbarri, and Northampton in the Midwest-Gascoyne; Merredin, Southern Cross, Northam, Wongan Hills, Dalwallinu, and Moora in the Wheatbelt; and at Northbridge in Perth.
The WA Police Force do not hold data related to the number of occasions and specific locations police have provided court security services. Court sitting/circuits are scheduled by the Department of Justice.
The private security contract was last renewed on 27 October 2016, and will expire on 26 October 2021. This Government will honour the contract put in place by the previous government.