2020 state election: State Government promises more police

The State Government has promised to put thousands more police on the beat across Queensland over the next five years in what they say is the biggest investment in policing in 30 years. Just weeks out from the October 31 poll, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today announced that her government would deliver an extra 2025 police personnel over the next five years. She said the pre-election announcement was the biggest increase in police resourcing in almost 30 years, and comes after an additional 600 personnel were added since 2015. Ms Palaszczuk said 150 new police officers would be located in each “key” region, while an extra 50 positions would go to the child protection investigation unit. Those key regions include North Brisbane, South Brisbane, the Far Northern Region, including Cairns, as well as the Northern Region, which includes Townsville and Mount Isa. “Of the new police, 1450 will be frontline,” the Premier said. “What we need now is we know that we want more out there across our regions, across our state making sure that they deliver for the people of Queensland.” Asked if money was being borrowed to fund the new positions, Ms Palaszczuk said: “We’ve made it very clear that’s what our economic plan is about.” “And it’s about making sure that we have the police that we need right across Queensland,” she said. “There has never been such a big boost across Queensland, let alone for regional Queensland. “It’s something that the regions have been saying to me that they want more police on the beat. And that’s exactly what my government is doing.” Police Minister Mark Ryan used the $624 million announcement to take a swipe at the LNP, claiming they would cut resources as he pointed to decisions made during the Newman government. “All of these positions are fully funded,” he said. “They come with all of the equipment. “They come with all of the resources that’s necessary for these personnel to do their job.” Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said she was “extraordinarily pleased” with the commitment, saying it would allow her to “substantially meet the challenges of the future”. “I have, obviously, discretion in this to put staff where I need to put them in the future, which is also incredibly important to know that we do have agility and flexibility to meet those demands,” she said.