Uproar in parliament as Labor accused of putting families at risk with secret Gold Coast police cuts

LABOR has been accused of leaving Gold Coast families at risk after revelations in an exclusive Bulletin report caused uproar in State Parliament. But Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had a different take

Police on patrol in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Glenn Hampson

THE Cop Out edition of the Gold Coast Bulletin detailing secret police budget cuts is causing uproar in State Parliament.

Opposition leader Deb Frecklington today accused Labor through the cutbacks of putting Coast families at risk from crime.

Deputy leader Tim Mander called on the Government to release the latest annual crime statistical reporting rather than continue to hide the results.

Queensland Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington with a copy of the Bulletin during Question Time today. Picture: AAP

The Bulletin understand the statistics paint a grim picture after recent crime trends showcased major problems with drug use and youth crime on the Glitter Strip.

Ms Palaszczuk in a fiery session of Question Time was forced to defend embattled Police Minister Mark Ryan about secret Coast police budget cuts.

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SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT COAST POLICING

POLICE MORALE ‘SMASHED’ ON COAST

A special report in The Bulletin today detailed how senior police had been sent an email asking them to prepare a draft budget where there would be a “reduction” with funds funnelled into Logan.

The reports also revealed how the Coast had been without its top cop for four months after he was sent to Brisbane to fill an Assistant Commissioner’s role, smashing morale on the ground.

The LNP this morning launched several questions at the Premier and Police Minister which sparked the most intense session of Parliament this week.

Ms Frecklington asked the Premier: “Labor has left Gold Coast families at risk with less frontline officers, a delayed implementation of domestic violence GPS trackers, skyrocketing crime rates and deep secret cuts to frontline resources.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (centre) with Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart (left) and Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan. Pictture: AAP

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“How does the Premier retain confidence in her Police minister when he continually lets down the people of the Gold Coast.”

Ms Palaszczuk objected to the Question which she said contained “factual errors”.

“Let me say I have absolute confidence in the Police Minister, he is continuing to give police the resources that they need to do their job,” she replied.

The Premier said the Government had spent $2.3 billion on the police budget and there was a police strength of 842 permanent officers on the Gold Coast.

“As we know we had the Commonwealth Games there we had more police. It is my government that values police in this State.”

The House was in uproar after the Premier told the LNP frontbenches: “You sacked senior officers, middle management right across the State.”

Coomera MP Michael Crandon was warned by Speaker Curtis Pitt after interjecting on several occasions.

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart and Mark Ryan. Picture: Jono Searle.

Mudgeeraba MP and frontbencher Ros Bates was furious after Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon asked a question about the film Dora the Explorer being shot on the Glitter Strip.

“So we are fighting for more police on the Gold Coast and the Member for Gaven is talking about Dora the Explorer. Maybe she can send Dora out to find our missing cops,” Ms Bates said.

Mr Ryan has consistently maintained that “decisions about the allocation of resources are made by the Police Commissioner”.

The Bulletin today sent a series of questions to the Police Commissioner Ian Stewart asking him to justify the budget cuts on the Coast.

The Bulletin asked if the job for a permanent Chief Superintendent on the Gold Coast was being advertised, and why the city was being left without a senior officer.

A response is yet to be obtained.