Only Labor has a plan to keep Queenslanders safe

Today Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Minister for Corrective Services Bill Byrne re-confirmed Labor’s commitment to keeping Queenslanders safe.

“The Palaszczuk Government’s State Budget delivers for the police, fire and and emergency services and corrective services,” Minister Byrne said.

“Unlike the LNP, the Palaszcuk Government has a plan for Queensland and a plan on how we will continue to provide the police with the right resources in order to disrupt and dismantle individuals and groups associated with any form of organised crime across our state.”

“We have allocated $16.2 million to significantly improve the police services counter terrorism capabilities, almost $70 million to enhance the police services ability to target organised crime as well as almost $100 million to upgrade QPS facilities, information and communication equipment.

“For our Fire and Emergency Services officers we have allocated $74 million for the 2016-17 financial year for facilities, appliances and communications equipment.

“A total of $5.6 million will be spent starting work on replacement auxiliary fire and rescue stations at Childers, Gordonvale, Oakey, Rainbow Beach and Tara, and extending the auxiliary fire and rescue station at Thursday Island.

“And many more fire stations across the State will benefit from upgrades and improved equipment.

“In line with ensuring our communities are safe we have invested $5.1 million to ensure dangerous sexual offenders under supervision in the community are monitored with new, improved technology.

“We have also invested an additional $88.5 million over five years to remediate hanging points from all older style secure cells and implement other measures to reduce the risk of prisoner suicide at Borallon Training and Correctional.”

“The LNP continue to spread mistruths in relation to this goverments stance on crime, yet the Opposition Leader failed to make any commitment to police or emergency services.”

“Let me set the record straight, we will not tolerate any organised crime in Queensland, whether it be Outlaw Motorcycle Groups or Child Exploitation.

“The Queensland Police will continue in their efforts to crack down on crime in Queensland and this government is 100% behind them.

“In this years budget we have ensured our frontline services have the tools needed to get on with their jobs in protecting our communities.

Media Contacts:

Minister Byrne’s Office:      Michelle Connolly, 0478 325 738