The McGowan Labor Government is getting on with the job of making our communities stronger and safer.
The 2019-20 State Budget includes significant investment in fresh ideas and new resources to the fight against crime, to address family and domestic violence, and improve community safety and justice services across the State. These initiatives include:
- $186 million to expand Casuarina Prison including $3.3 million for security system upgrades;
- $34.6 million to roll-out personal mobile tablets to free up police officers for more time on the beat;
- $30.9 million boost towards a suite of initiatives to tackle family and domestic violence;
- $22 million investment to boost the Enhanced Prescribed Burning program in the South-West;
- $15.4 million towards the roll-out of personal multi-threat body armour to frontline police officers;
- $12.3 million to secure and screen a new female compound and enhance security at Greenough Regional Prison;
- $11.3 million to support and ensure ongoing operation and sustainability of PCYCs;
- $8 million boost for Surf Lifesaving WA helicopter drone, beach and jet ski patrols, WA's world-leading shark monitoring network and department tagged operations as part of the overall WA scientific shark hazard mitigation strategy;
- $8 million to build a new multipurpose bushfire facility to support career and volunteer emergency services personnel, including firefighters and SES in Collie and the South-West;
- $6.5 million for the Aboriginal Community Connectors program to improve community safety, and reduce community consequences of alcohol and other drugs and related 'at risk' behaviours;
- $5.7 million for hostile vehicle protection measures at key stadia and venues;
- $4.8 million to continue the Enhanced Driver Training and Education Program for regional and remote communities and establish a new pilot program in Bunbury;
- $2.3 million package to combat elder abuse, including continued funding for the WA Elder Abuse Helpline;
- $1.4 million to plan for the construction of a new Broome Regional Prison; and
- $900,000 to deliver the Kimberley Juvenile Justice Strategy and fulfil a key election commitment.
A $42.5 million package as part of the 2019-20 State Budget is being provided to tackle the meth scourge and create stronger, safer communities.
- $20.1 million towards the North West Drug and Alcohol Support Program;
- $9.2 million towards the development of a comprehensive alcohol and other drug youth service in the Kimberley - fulfilling an election commitment;
- $4.8 million to establish a 10-bed crisis centre in Midland;
- $2.3 million for four low medical withdrawal beds in the Kimberley;
- $914,000 for alcohol and other drug training for Aboriginal workers through the Strong Spirit Strong Mind program;
- $631,000 to expand the existing Transitional Housing and Support Program, which will assist an additional 20 people each year;
- $614,000 towards alcohol and other drug training for frontline workers such as psychologists, social workers and counsellors;
- $457,000 for the Meth Peer Education Program which focuses on harm reduction and health promotion;
- $1.52 million to expand the needle syringe exchange program in high-demand regional areas including the Great Southern and Bunbury;
- $1.05 million for alcohol and other drug education programs in schools with a focus on at-risk students;
- $300,000 to expand the Hepatitis WA nurse-led program which supports GPs to provide brief interventions to meth users;
- $200,000 towards planning for short-term safe places for compulsory critical intervention;
- $200,000 to plan for the expansion of the award-winning Mental Health Police Co-Response model to regional areas and to include support for alcohol and other drug issues; and
- $150,000 towards raising awareness of the community Needle Syringe Exchange Programs.
The McGowan Government continues to deliver on its Stopping Family and Domestic Violence Policy, which is focused on reducing the impact of domestic violence through a comprehensive package of initiatives that address victim safety, perpetrator accountability, a more responsive justice system and prevention and early intervention. The 2019-20 State Budget includes:
- $15.5 million for an electronic monitoring trial to monitor high-risk domestic violence offenders;
- $11.7 million to establish new Family and Domestic Violence One Stop Hubs in Mirrabooka and Kalgoorlie, fulfilling an election commitment;
- $2.1 million to deliver training to frontline police officers and to develop a family violence Code of Practice;
- $1.1 million of continued funding for the Kimberley Family Violence Service; and
- $415,000 of continued funding for the Pets in Crisis program.
The McGowan Government is boosting road safety across WA with improvements to dangerous roads and intersections, a stronger police presence on roads and community education campaigns expected to change driver behaviour. The 2019-20 State Budget includes:
- $118.1 million road safety package including roadside driver testing, speed enforcement, alcohol interlocks assessment and treatment services, and run-off road crash mitigation; and
- $4.8 million to continue the Enhanced Driver Training and Education Program for regional and remote communities and establish a new pilot program in Bunbury.
For more 2019-20 State Budget information, visit http://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
As stated by Police and Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts:
"The McGowan Government is focused on making our communities safer.
"This Budget delivers on our commitments to community safety and provides our police with funding for the latest technology and a safer working environment.
"Our significant funding in frontline policing operations ensures our police force is well resourced and equipped to respond to crime challenges."
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Simone McGurk:
"Family and domestic violence is a national problem which is causing significant harm across our community, especially to our children.
"Since coming to Government in 2017, the McGowan Government has committed $53 million of new funding to tackling family and domestic violence.
"In 2018, a shockingly high number of people died in domestic homicides in Western Australia. We are committed to working across government and with community-based services to prioritise family safety and stop the unacceptably high levels of violence in our community."
As stated by Corrective Services and Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan:
"This year's Budget continues to show that the McGowan Labor Government is using taxpayers' dollars wisely and efficiently to get the best results possible.
"We have saved potentially a billion dollars from the Corrective Services portfolio by using the vast swathes of empty land at Casuarina and Bunbury prisons to build the desperately needed new beds.
"In total, with these additional 344 beds, we will have the equivalent of a new prison in a fifth of the time for a tenth of the cost.
"In the Emergency Services area, we continue to strengthen our presence in the regions with the new multipurpose bushfire facility in Collie that follows the introduction of the Rural Fire Division.
"This facility not only benefits our volunteer and career firefighting officers, but will also bring other government agencies together and strengthen Collie's economy."
