Presented by Robert Clark MP		www.robertclark.net

Labor would put police independence at risk

State Opposition Leader Steve Bracks has outlined a plan that would effectively see him take over the operational running of the Victoria Police Force, flouting the long-held conventions of the separation of powers.

"Mr Bracks has signalled his intention to render useless the role of Chief Commissioner of Police by announcing he would restructure the operational squads of Victoria Police, dictate the type of equipment issued to members and determine the placement of police stations.

"All of these matters have traditionally and appropriately been the domain of Police Command who are the only ones in a position to best make such decisions," the Minister for Police, Mr Bill McGrath, said.

Labor’s commitment to new and upgraded police stations is just one third of that made by the Coalition and its commitment to new equipment is approximately one seventeenth of that made by the Coalition.

(News Release, Office of the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, 8 September 1999)