Elise Archer MP

The State Government’s decision to axe a number of full-time uniform police at Kingston Police Station as a result of drastic budget cuts demonstrates its priorities are completely wrong and, as a result, Tasmanians will unfortunately suffer.

The cuts to frontline police officers represents the most serious threat to public safety that Tasmania has seen in many years, and will ensure a spike in crime.

The Kingston Police Station not only services the Kingborough region, but many surrounding areas from Taroona to Huonville, and cuts to police numbers will mean that the safety of every member of these communities will be put at risk at a time when the region is experiencing a 45 per cent increase in police call-outs.

Tasmania needs a strong police service to keep our streets safe and protect Tasmanians, and the simple fact is, we cannot afford to lose frontline police officers.

Not only do the cuts come on top of the cancellation of this year’s graduate police recruit course, but will guarantee that Tasmania’s streets are no longer safe.

It is time that Police Minister David O’Byrne came clean with Tasmanians and outlined exactly how he intends to find the savings required within the Police Department in this financial year alone, and which other rural and regional communities will lose officers or close their police stations as a result.

In contrast, the Liberals have outlined in our alternative budget the protection of frontline police jobs to keep the community safe by finding savings in other, non-frontline areas of government.

Regards
Elise Archer MP
Shadow Minister for Police