Published Tuesday, 05 June, 2007 at 12:23 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL 2:30PM, TUESDAY JUNE 5, 2007 - Budget delivers over $9.2 million for policing in Indigenous communities
Funding in the 2007-08 State Budget will provide a new police aircraft to patrol the Torres Strait, improve watch house security and house more police officers in Indigenous communities, Minister for Police Judy Spence said today.
“The Beattie Government is committed to improving police resources in the Torres Strait,” Ms Spence said.
“The government has committed $2.6 million over two years commencing in 2007-08 for the initial set up of the new Police Air Wing to be based at Horn Island.
“A further $2.3 million will be delivered over the next four years for on-going operation and maintenance.
“This new aircraft will allow police to respond quickly to incidents occurring anywhere in the Torres Strait, as well as providing a significant search and rescue capability,” Ms Spence said.
The budget also provides $1.5 million in 2007-08 to fund the Beattie Government’s commitment to install or upgrade CCTV in all public areas of watchhouse in Indigenous communities by February 2008.
“The commitment by the Premier to upgrade CCTV in watchhouses will improve the safety of offenders and police working in Indigenous communities,” Ms Spence said.
The first CCTV in public areas in Police stations will be in Woorabinda, Palm Island and Aurukun.
The budget also provides $2.8 million dollars for the construction of residential accommodation for police at Cooktown and Weipa.
“The Weipa and Cooktown communities will benefit from this funding because it will allow more officers to be based in the Torres Strait,” Ms Spence.
“These funding commitments will help increase the police presence in Indigenous communities, improving safety and security in those regions.
“The government is determined to provide better police services to Indigenous communities in remote regions,” Ms Spence said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287
“The Beattie Government is committed to improving police resources in the Torres Strait,” Ms Spence said.
“The government has committed $2.6 million over two years commencing in 2007-08 for the initial set up of the new Police Air Wing to be based at Horn Island.
“A further $2.3 million will be delivered over the next four years for on-going operation and maintenance.
“This new aircraft will allow police to respond quickly to incidents occurring anywhere in the Torres Strait, as well as providing a significant search and rescue capability,” Ms Spence said.
The budget also provides $1.5 million in 2007-08 to fund the Beattie Government’s commitment to install or upgrade CCTV in all public areas of watchhouse in Indigenous communities by February 2008.
“The commitment by the Premier to upgrade CCTV in watchhouses will improve the safety of offenders and police working in Indigenous communities,” Ms Spence said.
The first CCTV in public areas in Police stations will be in Woorabinda, Palm Island and Aurukun.
The budget also provides $2.8 million dollars for the construction of residential accommodation for police at Cooktown and Weipa.
“The Weipa and Cooktown communities will benefit from this funding because it will allow more officers to be based in the Torres Strait,” Ms Spence.
“These funding commitments will help increase the police presence in Indigenous communities, improving safety and security in those regions.
“The government is determined to provide better police services to Indigenous communities in remote regions,” Ms Spence said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287