NOVICE MP GETS IT WRONG ON NOOSA POLICING
Published Thursday, 02 November, 2006 at 06:23 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
Police Minister Judy Spence has corrected novice Liberal Member for Noosa, Glen Elmes, for making inaccurate and misleading statements about policing numbers in Noosa.
Ms Spence said Mr Elmes should check his facts first before embarrassing himself by making public statements that were wrong.
“Mr Elmes has claimed in the media today that police numbers in Noosa have gone from 31 police officers in 1991, to 32 officers this year,” Ms Spence said.
“The real truth is that in 1991 there were 18 officers in Noosa, and today there are currently 37 police officers working in Noosa.
“Mr Elmes should get his facts straight before shooting from the lip. It is even more important for new MPs to check their facts as they have a responsibility to their community to get it right and not mislead them.
“He could have rung me to ask – but he didn’t.
“He could have written to me – but he didn’t.
“Instead, he went out publicly with false information and in doing so has misled the community. I would have been pleased to set him straight."
Ms Spence said the Beattie Government has employed an extra 300 police on average each year since being elected in 1998.
“In the Sunshine Coast Police District, we have increased police numbers from 263 in 1998, to 439 today,” Ms Spence said.
“That’s almost a 60% increase.
“There are currently 37 police officers in Noosa and the area is already serviced by a shopfront police beat in Hastings Street in Noosa, and the nearby Tewantin/Noosaville Neighbourhood Police Beat.
“Rostered officers are further bolstered by district staff, such as tactical crime squad, CIB, JAB, and traffic.”
Ms Spence said senior North Coast police were always assessing future policing requirements for the area.
Media contact – Alison Smith 3239 6218 / 0439 673 287
Ms Spence said Mr Elmes should check his facts first before embarrassing himself by making public statements that were wrong.
“Mr Elmes has claimed in the media today that police numbers in Noosa have gone from 31 police officers in 1991, to 32 officers this year,” Ms Spence said.
“The real truth is that in 1991 there were 18 officers in Noosa, and today there are currently 37 police officers working in Noosa.
“Mr Elmes should get his facts straight before shooting from the lip. It is even more important for new MPs to check their facts as they have a responsibility to their community to get it right and not mislead them.
“He could have rung me to ask – but he didn’t.
“He could have written to me – but he didn’t.
“Instead, he went out publicly with false information and in doing so has misled the community. I would have been pleased to set him straight."
Ms Spence said the Beattie Government has employed an extra 300 police on average each year since being elected in 1998.
“In the Sunshine Coast Police District, we have increased police numbers from 263 in 1998, to 439 today,” Ms Spence said.
“That’s almost a 60% increase.
“There are currently 37 police officers in Noosa and the area is already serviced by a shopfront police beat in Hastings Street in Noosa, and the nearby Tewantin/Noosaville Neighbourhood Police Beat.
“Rostered officers are further bolstered by district staff, such as tactical crime squad, CIB, JAB, and traffic.”
Ms Spence said senior North Coast police were always assessing future policing requirements for the area.
Media contact – Alison Smith 3239 6218 / 0439 673 287