Police Minister shoots down fears over $100m for stage two of Kirwan Police Hub

The Police Minister has shut down speculation the LNP will slash funding for the Kirwan Police Hub, declaring: “We won’t be cutting anything.” But with car thefts rising in Townsville, is their crime crackdown working? HAVE YOUR SAY IN OUR POLL.

Concept images of the new Kirwan police precinct being constructed at the site of the former 1300 Smiles football stadium.

Police Minister Dan Purdie has fired back against speculation the LNP could slash funding for the Kirwan Police Hub, declaring: “We won’t be cutting anything.”

The second stage of the project — originally given a $100m green light under Labor — includes a brand-new Townsville Police Academy.

But after a $15m budget blowout on stage one, fears were mounting that stage two could face cuts.

Mr Purdie didn’t mince words when grilled on whether the LNP would commit to delivering the full $100m.

It comes after former police minister Mark Ryan took a swipe at the LNP during last year’s election, claiming they didn’t really back the project.

He accused the party of having a “secret plan to close it down and sell it off” the last time they were in power.

But Mr Purdie has since hit back hard, vowing the new government was all in.

“No, we won’t be cutting anything, and that money will go towards police in Townsville,” he said.

Minister for Police Dan Purdie. Picture: Liam Kidston

While acknowledging delays caused by weather, he reassured frontline officers the project was rock solid.

“Stage two is still being rolled out, but I can assure my old colleagues on the frontline in Townsville that we will be committing to everything they need — whether that is resources, physical or human, and laws — because we know we need to turn the tide,” he said.

Four months into his role, Mr Purdie also confirmed the LNP is reviewing the contract for a second police helicopter in Townsville.

“(Labor) announced two, just before the election, on a 12-month contract, so we’re looking at that at the moment to either extend that contract or improve it,” he said, staying tight-lipped on details.

A Polair chopper flying in Townsville. Picture: QPS

Despite the government’s tough talk on youth crime, Townsville car thefts jumped five per cent last month.

Asked when they would take responsibility for failing to turn the tide, Mr Purdie conceded crime remains “too high” but pointed the finger at Labor.

“We reached record levels of crime and the severity of crime late last year because the former government watered down the law and took the balance of power out of the hands of police,” he said.

“We now have a generation of untouchable offenders who think they can thumb their nose at the law.”

He insists the new Making Queensland Safer laws and extra police powers will turn things around.

Asked if the strategy would be reassessed if crime rates don’t drop in the next six months, Mr Purdie remained steadfast:

“We are continually talking to frontline police. The Youth Justice Minister has recently stood up an expert panel to look at other laws. We will continue to listen to all stakeholders to give our police what they need to drive down crime, and I’m confident we can do that.”

He also played down concerns that Far North Queensland’s elite Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) was being “starved out” in favour of Brisbane placements.

He confirmed more training courses were being run to boost numbers but stopped short of promising Cairns would be prioritised.

“What I’m reluctant to do is forcibly transfer people,” he said.

“If a certain officer passes the course and decides they want to stay in South East Queensland … I wouldn’t support anyone being forcibly transferred.”

Originally published as Police Minister shoots down fears over $100m for stage two of Kirwan Police Hub