CRIME AND ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR — REGIONS
578. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Minister for Police:
I
have a supplementary question. When will the minister acknowledge the impact
that crime is having on the people of Carnarvon and establish a specialist
task force unit to deal with the out-of-control crime that is occurring?
Mr P. PAPALIA replied:
The member and most other people
know that police operational matters are the responsibility of the Commissioner
of Police, and we have a wonderful police commissioner. He is confronting
greater challenges than probably any of his predecessors have had to in the
history of this state. In the midst of a global pandemic, he has been afforded
additional responsibilities and he is performing them exceptionally well. His
deputies are also doing an incredible job. As a result of the pandemic they are
confronting challenges that no-one before them has had to in those roles. They
are doing a wonderful job. The police officers on the ground are doing a fantastic
job, and the member should not talk down his community in the way he does.
Several members interjected.
Mr
P. PAPALIA: There are more police
in Carnarvon than when the member was in government, and there is now a wonderful
police and community youth centre as a consequence of this government's
investment. I understand that the member criticised —
Mr V.A. Catania: You
short-changed them $2 million.
The SPEAKER: Order, please,
member.
Mr
P. PAPALIA: Extraordinary. I understand
that the member directly criticised the PCYC operator there, who is the wife of one of the police officers in
Carnarvon. I understand that the member does not like the police in Carnarvon,
and that is a measure of the calibre of the person who holds the seat. It is
embarrassing and disappointing, and I feel for his constituents.