Leader of the Opposition, Lia Finocchiaro, says it’s ridiculous that the new Police Minister, Kate Worden, has banned the CLP from speaking with police and fire crews in Tennant Creek.
“As the Shadow Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, it is a critical part of my job to visit the rank and file to say thank you – and get a clear understanding of morale, infrastructure, resourcing, local challenges, and possible solutions.
“In a total abuse of power and process, new Police Minister Kate Worden unilaterally stopped me from visiting the Tennant Creek police and fire stations this week. No justification for knocking back my request was provided.
“The Opposition has an important role to play and it’s pretty clear the Fyles government will stop at nothing to shut us down.
“Why won’t Labor allow police to speak with us? Is the Minister afraid that officers will speak frankly and fearlessly about:
- The 11% attrition rate;
- The abhorrent levels of domestic, sexual and family violence as well as alcohol-fuelled crime, harm and violence in the region;
- The lack of mental health support for police right across the Territory; or
- The tragically low morale within our force?
“This just proves, the shuffling of portfolios has done absolutely nothing to combat Labor’s lack of transparency or accountability,” said Mrs Finocchiaro.
ENDS