Funds for police hub

THE State Government is to start work on a new policing hub at Arundel but speculation continues about the future of the bikie-busting RAP unit.

As the State Budget was brought down yesterday, Police Minister Mark Ryan announced a $2.4 million start to construction on the $11.5 million project, which was listed as a key item in Government investment in policing.

Other key expenditure was $15.7 million on improving the state’s counter terrorism efforts including 85 new specialist officers to be deployed across Queensland.

But Opposition concerns remain for the future of the Rapid Action Patrol squad, which played a key role in targeting criminal bikie gangs.

The Government is to outlay $5.4 million to replace eight water police boats.

Almost $6 million across the next three years will be spent providing officers with mobile tablet devices giving them more mobility.

“We have more police personnel than ever before. They are better qualified, better trained and better equipped than ever before,” Mr Ryan said.

Bonney MP Sam O’Connor supported the announcement of work on the new Arundel hub in his electorate but believes more police were needed.