Mr THOMAS GEORGE (Lismore) [12.16 p.m.]: I bring to the attention of the House my concern about police availability in the Richmond local area command. I was pleased this week to read the headline "Deputy Commissioner praises our police force" of an article written by Dominic Feain in the Northern Star of 17 March. Each of us in this place, especially on this side of the House, always supports our Police Force. Despite what the Minister for Police said recently in this House—

Ms Angela D'Amore: Get over it.

Mr THOMAS GEORGE: The member for Drummoyne can say, "Get over it", but I took exception to the Minister's comments. However, this is not the time to talk about that. The Deputy Commissioner paid tribute to the men and women of the Richmond local area command, which was reported in the Northern Star:

Recent favourable crime statistics in the Richmond Local Area Command showing a significant drop in robberies and assaults are the result of 'above authorised' staffing levels.

I am amazed that local area commands can be considered to be at "above authorised" staffing levels. We all say things at times that have different meanings. In this case the Richmond local area command may have above authorised staffing levels, but the deputy commissioner did not point out in the interview—if he did, it was not recorded—that only 79 per cent or 80 per cent of our police force is available for the day-to-day running of the local area command. This is an ongoing problem that I have raised since I was first elected to this House in 1999, apart from a few other issues regarding the local Police Service, as it was known in those days. It should have remained known as the Police Force. The Richmond local area command has an ongoing problem with the number of staff on sick leave and stress leave.

Sadly, the Police Force does not have a relief staff system. If police officers cannot attend to their duties, the remaining 80 per cent must cover the work of the command's full complement. Officers who perform their duties are also entitled to their days off. The Northern Star reported the next day that a family had to wait two hours after making a 000 call when a culprit had stoned their car. The newspaper reported that Local Area Commander Bruce Lyons apologised to the family for the unfortunate two-hour delay, but of the two available cars:

One was involved in a rescue and one was involved in a serious domestic.

The job at Oliver Avenue did come over as non-urgent.

Everyone understands that this places more pressure on the remaining 80 per cent of police officers on duty. I congratulate those officers on their efforts in reducing assaults and other crime in the area. However, unless officers are supported by being allocated the appropriate police numbers the likelihood is that more officers will be absent from work on stress and sick leave. The Government may say that it is increasing police numbers throughout the State, but my local area command should have its authorised staffing level. I believe my local area command has not been allocated sufficient numbers. I understand that in May another class will be sworn in and I ask the commissioner to allocate more police to the Lismore Local Area Command.