Front-line Police Support

Ms TANYA GADIEL: My question is addressed to the Minister for Police. Can the Minister for Police update the House on the Iemma Government's plans to back our front-line police?

Mr DAVID CAMPBELL: I am sure the member will listen intently because a little later I will have some good news for her electorate. The Iemma Government is committed to delivering better services and investment in infrastructure. The men and women of the New South Wales Police Force and the New South Wales community will be delighted with the Treasurer's commitments to the police portfolio in the State budget. We have the biggest Police Force in the country: we have the highest paid and the best resources of any in the country. Quite simply, despite what we continually hear from those opposite, we have the best Police Force in the country.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Terrigal will cease interjecting.

Mr DAVID CAMPBELL: The 2008-09 budget allocates almost $2.4 billion to the police portfolio, which is an increase of around 4 per cent. That means that the largest ever New South Wales Police Force will have the resources and equipment it needs to continue its great work in keeping our streets safe by removing dangerous criminals from our community and putting them behind bars. We are achieving strong results: 16 of the 17 major crime categories are stable or falling, and with a record low road toll police are delivering on the ambitious targets set in the State Plan.

I am delighted to inform the House that 100 extra officers will join the New South Wales Police Force as part of the first instalment of the Iemma Government's commitment to deliver an extra 750 police by 2011. This is in addition to the 750 officers we delivered in January last year, who are now on the streets keeping our community safe. As far as the New South Wales Police Force is concerned, this could well go down as the technology budget because the Government has recognised and delivered on essential services and state-of-the-art advancements aimed at cutting red tape and reducing lost hours.

For example, there is a $6.7 million commitment for enhanced DNA testing, including the enhancement of technical support for criminal investigation; a $26.4 million boost for the upgrading of the Core Operating Policing System, which gives police a computer-operating system that meets contemporary law enforcement standards; a $16.6 million commitment for enhancements to police radio communications, including the eradication of black spot areas throughout New South Wales—something I would have thought The Nationals members might have welcomed, but it seems they are not interested.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of The Nationals will cease interjecting.

Mr Andrew Stoner: He should stop baiting me.

The SPEAKER: Order! I call the Leader of The Nationals to order.

Mr DAVID CAMPBELL: There is also a $3.5 million upgrade of mobile data terminals to allow police to spend more time on the beat. Members will be interested also to learn of the Government's commitment to forensic investigations through the purchase of a new mobile forensic laboratory. This state-of-the-art mobile laboratory will be deployed to specific crime scenes not only to save hours of time but also to possibly assist with the detection of a missing piece of evidence that will solve a particular crime. Of course, a major part of any police budget is major works. I am delighted to say that the 2008-09 budget has allocated more than $133 million to police major works. This represents a real investment in the men and women of the New South Wales Police Force by providing them with the working environment needed to drive down crime: the Government promises and the Government delivers.

For example, I know the member for Riverstone will be delighted to know that funds have been allocated for the pre-planning phase of a new station in his electorate. There is also a pre-planning phase of a new station for Glendale for the Lake Macquarie Local Area Command. The member for Wallsend, in particular, will be delighted to hear that. Almost $7 million has been set aside for works to be completed on the Dubbo, Orange and Wagga Wagga police stations in the next financial year, which I am sure will please members on both sides of the House. The structures will be state-of-the-art facilities that regional communities can be proud of and that the women and men of the New South Wales Police Force will be glad to call home.

The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Coffs Harbour to order.

Mr DAVID CAMPBELL: I am sure that the member for Sydney will be heartened to hear that more than $800,000 has been set aside for completion of the $4 million Rocks police station. It will deliver to police in the Sydney central business district a fantastic new home—a project which I know the member for Sydney has put considerable effort into achieving over the years. The list goes on. Right across the State there is spending on buildings to ensure our Police Force has state-of-the-art facilities as it continues the great job it is doing in driving down crime. It will be a matter of interest to the member for Parramatta to know that this includes $9.8 million at Parramatta. The spending also includes $3.1 million at Camden, $5.3 million at Granville and $6.1 million at Kempsey. The member for Shellharbour will be delighted to know that $5 million will be spent at Lake Illawarra to commence construction at the Lake Illawarra Local Area Command.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of The Nationals and the member for Coffs Harbour will cease continually interjecting.

Mr DAVID CAMPBELL: The Government is meeting its election commitment with $4.3 million to commence construction of police buildings at Raymond Terrace, $9.3 million at Windsor, $7 million at Wyong, $200,000 at Burwood and $2.7 million at Leichhardt. I often say that buildings themselves do not drive down crime—but they can create a good working environment for those who make it their job to do just that. Unlike the Opposition, the Government does not focus on making cheap political mileage out of the men and women of the New South Wales Police Force. We support them—in words, in actions and in dollars. This Government is committed to driving down crime as part of its key State Plan initiatives. This year's budget supports police by achieving those targets.