CRIME AND ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR — CARNARVON
695. Ms M. BEARD to the Minister for Police:
I
refer to the minister's response to a question without notice earlier
this year when he stated that ''there is not a series of reports of children wandering the streets and
reports of truancy on a daily basis and that there is not a crime wave''
in Carnarvon. Sadly, crime is a constant presence in all communities and it is
no different in Western Australia. After watching Four Corners last
night, is the minister now aware that children are wandering the streets and at
risk in Carnarvon in the north of the state, and will the minister acknowledge
that this is a significant problem for police and the communities?
Mr P. PAPALIA replied:
I am not really sure where to go
with that question. I do not think that Carnarvon was in the story last night.
I did watch it and I do not recall it being in the story. There were some
references to Broome and Derby.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER: Order, please!
The question has been asked and the minister is answering it.
Mr P. PAPALIA: They were
dated. They were some months ago, and I can report that Operation Regional
Shield has been active since the start of the year in both those towns and, on
occasion, in Carnarvon.
I can respond to police matters and
issues related to policing. I can give the member an answer if she has a question
about policing. I do not know why the
Nationals WA continues to attack the Western Australia Police Force and criticise
its performance. I think it is doing an outstanding job. The Western Australia
Police Force performed exceptionally well during the COVID pandemic. It kept us
safe and delivered world-class policing at the same time. It did that right
across the state and to a level the likes of which is equal to, if not in
excess of, anywhere in the world. We should be proud of the police force and
thankful for its contribution. I am not sure what the member is actually
asking.