The Labor Government has today back flipped on its long-running refusal to secure the safety of Gold Coasters around the Gold Coast University Hospital and committed to funding a Police Beat at the Commonwealth Games Village.
Member for Mudgeeraba, Ros Bates MP said the move was a clear indication the Labor Government was asleep at the wheel after it finally bowed to renewed public pressure.
“I welcome the news that this Labor Government, in response to mounting public pressure and security concerns, will finally deliver the Police Beat I’ve been calling for since last year,” said Ms Bates.
“Since late 2015, I’ve been calling for a Police Beat to service area surrounding Gold Coast University Hospital, Griffith University and the Commonwealth Games Village, which will soon have the population of a regional town of around 30,000 people – larger than Maryborough, Mount Isa or Gympie,” said Ms Bates.
“I even sponsored a petition of which was signed by hundreds of Gold Coast residents, but ignored by this Labor Government which said a Police Station 4.2km away and a Police Beat 4.4km were more than enough.
“This announcement is is a dramatic turnaround from a Labor Government that only six months ago refused to deliver any funding or frontline Police officers to secure public safety in this area.
“It is clear this Labor Government is asleep at the wheel, making policy on the run and has no clue how to keep the Gold Coast safe.”