Monday 29 June, 2020
A future LNP government will make Queensland communities safer by providing Crime Stoppers with an extra $1.5m in funding.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said the money would be used to expand the charity’s network of volunteers and support its crime-prevention campaigns targeting ICE dealers and child abuse.
The LNP’s commitment to Crime Stoppers follows Labor’s decision to cease its funding in February 2019, leading to the closure of the charity’s call centre – a move which has increased demand on the over-stretched Queensland Police Service.
Last year it was revealed that 130,000 crime reports and tip-offs to Policelink were abandoned by callers who hung up when their calls went unanswered.
“The LNP will end Labor’s crimewave by giving police the resources and the tough laws they need to protect the community,” Ms Frecklington said.
“But we won’t stop there. The LNP will work with Crime Stoppers to boost the role that volunteers play in the fight against crime and ease the pressure on our police.
“Crime Stoppers has helped our police to make almost 2,200 arrests in the last year and detect drugs with a value of almost $6m.
“The LNP values every member of the Crime Stoppers team and we will work with them to keep Queenslanders safe.”
Ms Frecklington announced the three-year funding commitment on Brisbane’s northside, with the LNP’s candidate for Aspley Amanda Cooper.
“Robberies and car theft have shot up by 90% across the northside since Labor came to power,” Ms Cooper said.
“Labor has been soft on crime, but tough on Crime Stoppers.
“Only the LNP has a plan to cut crime and Crime Stoppers will be a big part of it.”
LNP Shadow Police Minister Dan Purdie said Labor’s crimewave was not confined to Brisbane, with robberies increasing by 94% statewide since Annastacia Palaszczuk became Premier.
Other crimes have also seen huge increases, including car theft (77%), domestic violence order breaches (111%) and assault (35%).
“The LNP wants to use every tool in the box to cut crime and keep Queenslanders safe,” Mr Purdie said.
“As a former police officer, I know that Crime Stoppers make a massive contribution to law enforcement in Queensland.
“The LNP will increase Crime Stoppers’ contribution, instead of cutting it like Labor.
“Only an LNP Government will cut crime and keep our communities safe.”
