Ms BADGER question to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, Mr ELLIS
The Weiss review was damning of Tasmania and its systems which led to the abuse of children over three decades. The Premier has committed to implementing all five recommendations, including establishing a restorative engagement framework for those harmed by a Tasmania Police officer and a redress scheme for victim-survivors, both of which will require substantial extra funding.
You plan to cut $35 million from Police, Fire and Emergency Management over the next four years. How do you expect Tasmania Police to implement the Weiss recommendations if you are slashing their budget and capacity? How will that keep Tasmanians safe?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the member for her question. I say again to the victim-survivors of Paul Reynolds’ atrocious crimes that our hearts go out to you. Thank you to those who came forward for your courage. We want to support everyone who was a victim of his heinous crimes over many decades and our government is committed to acting on that. We have accepted all five recommendations, just as we accepted the 191 recommendations from the commission of inquiry, which also mentioned Mr Reynolds’ terrible crimes against children.
There is no higher priority in this state than keeping Tasmanian children safe. Our government, led by the Premier, and every minister who has carriage of important recommendations from the commission of inquiry and this review, is absolutely committed to doing everything we can to make sure we deliver that. We will be working through the budget process in the usual way and policy work has begun to deliver on these important recommendations. Our government is absolutely committed to that.
Regarding our investment in police, we currently have a record number of police on the beat in Tasmania. The recruit course we had graduated last week. It was such an exciting time and I know that all those people have an absolute commitment to keeping children safe. There was a record number of police graduates on the parade ground as well. Tasmanians can be encouraged that not only do we have record police on the beat today, but next year we will have even more as we deliver on our commitment for 60 new officers for Tasmania Police and a dedicated relief pool.
Our government is investing in the frontline of Tasmania Police. We are investing in delivering on our recommendations from the commission of inquiry and the recommendations from the Weiss review. All parts of government need to ensure they continue to do their work more productively, and finding those efficiencies will be important, but our absolute commitment to the Tasmanian communities is that we will continue to invest in the services that will keep you safe.
