Elise Archer MP

This week’s breakthrough in a decades old murder case shows just how short-sighted the Green-Labor Government’s decision to axe the Cold Case Unit is.

Cold cases have a devastating impact on the families and friends of the victims, and without a dedicated Cold Case Unit, Police Minister David O’Byrne is denying people justice.

The axing of the Cold Case Unit, coupled with other cuts to police such as taking police officers off the frontline to do paperwork instead of fighting and investigating crime makes this decision even more farcical.

What makes the axing of the Cold Case Unit even worse is that the Green-Labor Government is funding lower priorities instead.  That the Government would rather spend millions chasing foxes, rather than criminals really sums up how warped their priorities are.

The Liberals have identified nearly $200 million worth of savings in our alternative budget that we would invest in frontline services, like police and public safety.

Elise Archer MP
Shadow Minister for Police and Emergency Management
Friday, 27 January 2012