Palaszczuk Government ups fight on crime

Published Tuesday, 24 May, 2016 at 09:24 AM

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services and Minister for Corrective Services
The Honourable Bill Byrne

Minister for Police Bill Byrne has today restated that the Palaszczuk Government’s guidance to the Queensland police is to be relentless in targeting organised crime in our state.

“The Palaszczuk Government recently committed an additional $20 million over four years for the Queensland Police Service to specifically target serious organised crime.

“Regardless if it be outlaw motorcycle groups, child sex exploitation, fraud or drug trafficking, these individuals and groups will be targeted and will be disrupted and dismantled by the Queensland Police Service,” Minister Byrne said.

“The LNP are continuing to talk up their untruths when it comes to what this Government is doing in relation to targeting organised crime.

“It’s a nonsense to talk about Taskforce numbers. It’s naïve and reflects a lack of understanding of contemporary policing practices and the combined might of police resources.  

“From 2014/15 to 2015/16 we increased the State Crime Command budget from $48.11 million to $64.70 million and increased the overall QPS Budget from $2.095 billion to $2.117 billion during the same period.

“Maxima is just one part of the QPS’ organised crime apparatus.

“There are many facets to the fight against serious organised crime.

These include:

- The State Crime Commands Gold Coast Major and Organised Crime Squad (MOCS) is based on the Gold Coast which maintains a dedicated Firearms Investigation Team responsible for the investigation of offences involving the possession, use and trafficking of illegal firearms across in South Eastern Region.

- The Rapid Action and Patrol group who provide a flexible and highly mobile crime suppression group to stop crime and make the community safe through the application of agile, highly visible proactive policing strategies focused on problem people, places, and issues affecting the Police District.

- Taskforce Argos that targets child exploitation right across the state

"The reality is our message on this is very clear.

“We will provide the Queensland Police with the resources required to continue to exploit every opportunity to target criminal networks linked to organised crime.

“The $20 million committed by this Government will deliver a further boost to police resources and will give our law enforcement agencies the tools and technology they need to tackle organised crime.

“We also committed an additional 266 police this financial year, and we have delivered on this commitment.

“I can reassure the public that police remain resolute in their pursuit of organised crime gangs and the Palaszczuk Government backs their efforts every step of the way.”

ENDS

Media Contact: Michelle Connolly 0478 325 738