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The Hon. DON HARWIN: My question is to the Minister for Police. Is the Minister aware of allegations that not all student police officers set to be sworn in this coming Friday completed their operational safety and tactics course JST 137 or its equivalent? Did he know that this course includes simulation training involving the use of firearms in simulated exercises, together with related training where students have to decide whether to use their gun, baton or capsicum spray? Will the Minister give an immediate undertaking to the House that no student police officer who is yet to complete this training will be sworn in this coming Friday?
The Hon. MICHAEL COSTA: If I had wanted to know the Opposition's question for me today I would have asked Steve Gibbs from the press gallery because he asked my office that very same question yesterday. I do not intend to give an answer today because the Opposition is fishing for the record numbers, which will be available on Friday. They also tried this during the estimates hearings, but they are not going to get the number. If they want to find out the number they should buy the paper on Saturday morning. I am sure the Sydney Morning Herald and the Daily Telegraph will cover the story. They will find out the record number on Friday.