The Gutwein Government needs to detail what it is doing to
ensure there are enough police on the beat to ensure public safety over the
Christmas and new year period.
Shadow
Police Minister Jen Butler said it was concerning that a decision had been made
to double the numbers of officers assigned to hotel quarantine without
consulting the Police Association.
Ms Butler
said the decision is at odds with Premier Peter Gutwein’s assurances that
international flights would not be accepted without adequate Australian Defence
Force resources being provided by the Commonwealth.
Ms Butler
said Labor fully supported the Police Association of Tasmania’s concerns that
the decision to double the number of police officers assigned to emergency
management at hotel quarantine left significant gaps in the ability to maintain
public order, undertake criminal investigation and traffic policing.
“The police should not be forced to make do or just do their best to
make ends meet,” Ms Butler said.
“We were told that mercy flights from overseas were delayed because the
Tasmanian Government and the Commonwealth were negotiating over ADF numbers to
staff the hotel. Clearly that did not happen effectively.
“The Police Minister Mark Shelton has not consulted with Tasmania Police
about pulling too many police from the streets to work alongside ADF staff and
that’s short-sighted and irresponsible.
“Police are facing what is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year and they need to be focussed on the frontline.
“The Premier needs to step in and instead of re-directing police officers, demand that Canberra delivers more Australian Defence Force personnel to ensure that police are able to get on with the job and the quarantine hotel has the best possible security to keep all Tasmanians safe.”
Jen Butler MP
Shadow Police, Fire and Emergency Management Minister
