Debates Day 2 - Wednesday 17 May 1995
Parliamentary Record 10
Debates for 7th Assembly 1994 - 1997; ParliamentNT; Parliamentary Record; 7th Assembly 1994 - 1997
1995-05-17
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Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
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DEBATES - Wednesday 17 May 1995 However, we have a couple of figures, which we will take at their face value, in relation to a reduction in accidents, deaths and alcohol consumption. That is excellent, but let us not blow it away by having a little group of people who will wear uniforms - and the local mayors will say that these are their people who will solve the problem - when the government knows full well that these people will not have the powers, the numbers or the ability to do the job. I ask the government to please put the money where it can do the job properly. That is all that I have to say on this issue. I understand that, at this stage, this is a ministerial statement only. I hope that the initiative will die there, and that that will be the end of it. If it returns in the form of other programs ... Mr Reed: You will soon see the benefits in the community. Mr EDE: Obviously, we will be seeing some aspects of it in terms of the additional levy in the budget. However, we will be looking at the expenditure side. If it is used to go down this road, we will not be happy. I put it to members that they will find that the experts in this matter, people like the police force etc, will also be very unhappy. I think the government should take advice from them before it goes down this road. Mr MANZIE (Police, Fire and Emergency Services): Mr Speaker, I have listened with interest to the approach the opposition has taken to this very positive initiative. It explains yet again why the community has no faith in the members opposite and why they sit in opposition. There has been nothing positive from them. There has been a version of events that bears no resemblance to the true facts and some ridiculous comments have been made. Some of the comments made by the Leader of the Opposition are worth starting with. He said that this involves just 2 people and a Toyota. That is patent rubbish. The whole process that the minister spoke about involves the community, and it is an area where local Aboriginal people can become involved, as the police are, as the night patrols are and as a number of other people in the community are. It will take a whole of community approach and, to bag it as being only 2 people and a Toyota is plain nonsense. However, it is typical of the Leader of the Opposition and his approach. He is ignorant and he shows his ignorance. He wears it like a flag, and that is why he is in opposition. This initiative is much more than that. It is one part of a complex process to try to make some changes in our community in relation to the kind of antisocial behaviour that people are sick and tired of. However, he does not show any support. He bags i t ... Mr Ede: Fund the police! Mr MANZIE: ... and he bags the police because he wants to see police officers picking up rubbish ... Mr Ede: Fund the police. Give them resources! Mr MANZIE: I am sure that he would like to see the police going round picking up rubbish. 3233