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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 987 asked in the Legislative Council on 17 October 2018 by Hon Martin Aldridge

Parliament: 40 Session: 1

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.