Tough talk on law and order

TASMANIA’S major party leaders are getting serious on law and order leading up to the state election.

Speaking at the Police Association of Tasmania conference yesterday, Premier Will Hodgman told members a reelected Liberal government would not only seek to recruit an additional 125 police officers over a four-year term as reported in yesterday’s Mer

cury, but also remove “step down” provisions applying to police officers on workers’ compensation, which currently sees them drop to about 80 per cent of their wage.

Mr Hodgman said his Government would also legislate a Police Powers Act, to define and consolidate the powers of police officers.

Opposition Leader Rebecca White also took the opportunity to make policing commitments, and acknowledged that during Labor’s last term in government the party did not always get it right on policing issues.

Ms White said Labor would recruit an additional 31 police officers in its first term, and make changes in the service to ensure 57 officers were added to the frontline.

Ms White said Labor would provide $4 million for station upgrades around the state.

Police association president Pat Allen had earlier raised concerns about a rodent issue at the Sorell station.

Labor would also introduce presumptive Post Traumatic Stress Disorder legislation to remove the onus from officers to prove work caused their symptoms.

The announcements were in addition to the three police dogs Labor yesterday revealed it would add to the force.

Both parties indicated more announcements on law and order policies would be made before the election.