Doubts over Libs’ police station vow

POLICE Minister Michael Ferguson has revealed there are no guarantees New Norfolk’s new $5 million police station will be staffed around the clock.

This came to light in recent House of Assembly Budget estimates hearings.

Responding to questions from Greens MP Rosalie Woodruff, Mr Ferguson said there had been no suggestion the station would be staffed around the clock.

“The commitment that the Government has made in relation to New Norfolk … is that there would be access to police services at all times,” he said.

New Norfolk’s overnight coverage is currently provided by the 24-hour police station at Bridgewater.

“It is considered by our senior police … that it is better for police to be in the community patrolling and being available and able to respond to call-ins, than sitting behind a desk,” Mr Ferguson said.

The Government promised New Norfolk a new $5 million police station and an all-hours police presence in the lead-up to the March 3 state election.

“A re-elected majority Hodgman Liberal Government will rectify this by investing $5 million on the new station, ensuring it has the capacity, space and security requirements to respond to the community’s needs around-the-clock, seven days a week,” former police minister Rene Hidding said in January.

The commitment was made in response to public pressure after a spike in crime in the town.

Mr Ferguson said the $5 million allocated for the station was for infrastructure.

Dr Woodruff said it now seemed “highly unlikely” New Norfolk’s new station would have police officers there 24 hours a day.

“It seems the Liberals and Minister Ferguson have instead decided to build a new building, without necessarily providing proper services,” Dr Woodruff said.

“That’s not good enough. The community believed they were promised 24-hour local access before the election.”

Mr Ferguson said a “capability review” would decide the best allocation of the extra 125 police force staff funded in the 2018-19 budget.

Dr Woodruff said the Government’s priorities were wrong: “I think the people of New Norfolk would have had an expectation that a $5 million new police station would come with a person behind the counter at least Monday to Friday.”

Acting police minister Elise Archer yesterday said the new station would provide space and facilities for a modern police service.