SENATOR PAULINE HANSON — WESTERN AUSTRALIA
VISIT — SECURITY
987. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I refer to Senator Pauline Hanson's visit to Western Australia
last week.
(1) Was Senator Hanson provided a security detail by the Western
Australia Police Force?
(2) Did the WA Police Force provide security at the
two advertised fundraising events, being a $20 fish-and-chips encounter
and a $5 000-per-head exclusive dinner?
(3) What was
the total police officer hours and cost associated with security services
related to the senator's visit?
(4) Will the
state government seek reimbursement of these costs from Senator Hanson or the
Australian government?
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 advised the following.
(1) Senator
Hanson's personal security detail was coordinated and managed by the
Australian Federal Police in line with national dignitary protection protocols.
The Western Australia Police Force dignitary protection unit provided two
officers to assist the four AFP officers assigned to Senator Hanson's
security at the request of the AFP. DPU staff provided this assistance at the
Botanica Bar and Bistro event. This is not an unusual arrangement, as DPU often
supplement AFP dignitary protection capability in Western Australia.
(2) Beyond the
DPU support role, the Western Australia Police Force also provided an external
security presence—public order—at the Botanica Bar and Bistro
event to maintain public order. This external policing response was coordinated
by the officer in charge of Scarborough Police Station.
(3) DPU staff
are rostered on for day shift as part of their normal cycle. As a consequence,
no additional costs were incurred. Resources provided by Scarborough police
cannot be determined within the time frame for this question.
(4) DPU often
supplements AFP dignitary protection officers due to the logistical, distance
and operational considerations that exist within Western Australia. There is no
cost recovery for this effort.
In relation to part (3), if the
member wants that further information, I ask him to place that part of the
question on notice.