Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Police spokesperson
The Police Association’s concern about the increase in crimes against people in the last year should be taken seriously by the Government. Any assault on any individual is one too many.
The Police Association has suggested the reason for the increase is related to methamphetamine use.
Given there was a five-fold increase in methamphetamine arrests since 2013-14, it is highly likely that increasing ice use plays a part.
Strong action to reverse the number of assaults needs a concerted government and community sector response, with support and training for police officers.
If Attorney General and Minister for Corrections, Vanessa Goodwin, is serious about her promise to take a “whole-of-government” approach to improving community safety, this is her opportunity to put it into action.
The Government needs to establish a strategy across at least the Justice, Police, Housing, Health, Education and Corrections portfolios to deal with ice use.
A “whole-of-government approach” needs to be more than a conversation. It also involves working formally with the community sector that provides treatment and support for people to live a life without addiction to drugs.