Government silent on cost of DV trackers monitored from the United Kingdom
STATE Government have refused to detail just how much the controversial GPS tracking system — which is being monitored overseas — of offenders costs, citing just one reason.
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POLICE Minister Mark Ryan refuses to provide the cost of a DV tracking system operating from the United Kingdom which is being criticised for not providing real time coverage.
The State Opposition has been briefed about alternative technology and wants the Government to have a rethink about the current overseas consultancy.
The Gold Coast Bulletin asked Mr Ryan to detail the cost of this monitoring service for the taxpayer, why an overseas provider was given it and how the process of determining this was set up.
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Mr Ryan last week referred a series of questions to Queensland Police and it was later confirmed a “private operator in the United Kingdom” was responsible for monitoring DV offenders.
Police declined to provide details of how many people were monitoring perpetrators and whether it was a 24-7 operation, citing commercial in confidence.
In a statement late yesterday, Mr Ryan said: “I am advised by Queensland Police of the following: The cost of monitoring arrangements are commercial in confidence. The provider was chosen based on capability and meeting the relevant requirements of the QPS following an appropriate selection process.”
The Bulletin has detailed fatal flaws in the technology, including the victim not being monitored if they move out of an alleged offender’s no-go zone and the device being unable to communicate the location of the tracked person if the network fails.
The Opposition believes superior technology has been available in Australia since 2015.
Opposition frontbencher and Gold Coast MP Ros Bates told the Bulletin: “As a survivor of domestic violence, it’s time for Labor to start listening to victims and their families.
“Vulnerable women and domestic violence victims deserve to know that they are being protected and that GPS trackers are working.
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“There is no point having GPS tracking systems if they aren’t being monitored around the clock.”
Ms Bates said the “embattled” Minister needs to “come clean and stop hiding behind his Department”.
“He needs to give an iron-glad guarantee that victims and their families are protected,” she said.
“The LNP has supported systems that can alert victims if their offender is within close proximity to provide an additional layer of protection and comfort.
“If there is better technology that improves community safety, then it should be looked at.
“It’s clear that the Minister isn’t up to the job and Annastacia Palaszczuk needs to step in and start listening to the community.”
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