Thursday, 19 May 2005

Alexander on law and order: Good start, but think smarter

Increased police funding is a step in the right direction, but basically we still need more front line officers, United Future law and order spokesman Marc Alexander said in response to today’s Budget announcement.

“Effectively all we’re getting is about another hundred front line police, which is a good start, but no more than that.

“Now we need to get the Government to think and work smarter on how we use those resources - specifically fighting crime and not handing out traffic tickets to everyone doing 55kmh,” Mr Alexander said.

He said was delighted to see the Government take up United Future’s push for additional funding for youth offending teams.

“Again, this is a positive direction that we have consistently pushed, but there can never be enough fiscal recognition of the need for early intervention in terms of nipping crime and criminals in the bud,” Mr Alexander said.

The Government also went with a United Future Budget bid at the other end of the spectrum: reintegration of prisoners back into society, with an extra $4.4 million over four years to boost services for former inmates.

“Good, but again we need to think smarter. This money needs to go to programmes with a track record of reducing recidivism, and can demonstrate stable staff and client turnover rates.

“We’d also like to see it being used to assist inmates who are parents with their parenting skills, both before and after they are released. This would pay major dividends long-term in fighting inter-generational crime,” he said.

Ends.

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