Member for Mudgeeraba, Ros Bates MP has launched a grassroots petition to pressure the Labor Government to deliver an upgraded Police Beat for the Robina area.
Ms Bates, a registered nurse who recently accompanied staff during a shift at Robina Hospital, raised concerns about involuntary mental health patients and recovering drug users roaming the Robina area on leave. To secure public safety, she says an upgrade of the Police Beat to a manned 24 hour Police Beat is required.
“Robina Hospital caters for long and short term mental health patients and recovering drug users, and it is vitally important we secure the safety of staff and patients at Robina Hospital, commuters at Robina Train Station, shoppers at Robina Town Centre and students and parents at Robina State High School with a long term strategy,” said Ms Bates.
“That is why I have launched a new petition which urges the Labor Government to upgrade the current Police Beat at Robina Town Centre to a 24 hour manned Police Beat to respond to any security incidents in and around Robina Hospital.
“It will also enable Police to respond quickly to any assaults on nursing staff at the hospital.
“Under our Safe Night Out Strategy, the former LNP Government made it an offence to assault a health worker and I want to see these assaults stopped by having more Police close by.
“We also made reduced sentences using the excuse of alcohol and drug intoxication a thing of the past.
“A Police Beat is my next step to securing safety in this area after I have successfully urged the Ministers for Health and Education to hire more security officers at Robina Hospital and install a security fence at Robina State High School.”
Ms Bates is urging local residents to visit the Queensland Parliament website and sign her petition at http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/e-petition?PetNum=2502