Spence: Vaughan Johnson missing-in-action on Nationals’ proposed Police Budget cuts

Police Minister Judy Spence is calling on the Nationals’ police spokesman, Vaughan Johnson, to explain how his party’s proposed budget cuts across the public sector will impact on frontline Queensland Police.

Ms Spence said Johnson has been oddly quiet since the Nationals announced across the board public service cuts, including slashing almost $50 Million a year from the Police Budget, resulting in jobs lost and the cutting of Police services.

"It’s time for Mr Johnson to come forward and explain to Police and the people of Queensland, just how he expects to slash the Police Budget by 3% and miraculously not affect operational policing," Ms Spence said.

"Mr Johnson promises 1,000 police one day, then cuts police numbers by 300 a year the next.

"The Nationals are coming out with so many bogus election promises, their own police spokesman can’t even keep up.

"Police provide essential frontline services by working on the beat to fight crime and protect communities right across Queensland.

"The Nationals’ budget cuts will take Police officers off Queensland streets, away from vital on-the-beat policing – only to stick them behind a desk to trawl through paperwork.

"This is a slap in the face from Mr Johnson and the National Party to our hard working police.

"Is this what they can expect under a Springborg-lead government – a Police spokesman who is not willing to stand up for the Queensland Police Service and the people they protect?"

Ms Spence said more than 95% of the Queensland Police Service are involved in important frontline service delivery, but under the Nationals’ budget cuts, vital police numbers would have to go.

"The Nationals’ reckless budget cuts would cost the Queensland Police Service more than 300 police per year," Ms Spence said.

"Under the Bligh Government, for the first time in Queensland we have more than 10,000 police officers on Queensland streets and now Mr Johnson and the Nationals are winding back the clock.

"I call on Mr Johnson to explain his party’s ridiculous excuse for economic management and guarantee to all Queenslanders that vital police services will not be axed under the National Party’s public service budget cuts."

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