Brian Neeson
Opposition Police Spokesperson
13 March 2000
Review decision a cop out says Neeson
Opposition Police Spokesperson Brian Neeson says he is disappointed that the Government has decided to drop the Police
Review.
"The review is essentially completed and Mr Hawkins is just playing politics with this decision.
"Mr Hawkins' decision to stop the review because Police staff didn't like it is a cop out. Is he going to be that much
of a push over in all of his decisions as Police Minister?
"Both the Government and the Police had a lot to learn from the review. When National commissioned the review we were
interested in getting the best possible policing on our streets and ensuring support services are aligned to support
frontline police.
"The review has already found that a lot of money was swallowed by the Police bureaucracy when it should have been
directed at the Police on the beat. $18 million in savings have already been identified by the review, and these will be
ongoing. Its cost of $17 million is one off.
"The new structures are largely in place and I hope Mr Hawkins isn't planning on reversing any of the changes that led
to this saving," Mr Neeson said.
Ends