Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-10-29 Daily Xml

Contents

Question Time

POLICE ATTENDANCE PROCEDURE

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:19): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Leader of the Government, representing the Minister for Police, a question about police reports.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: On 14 September, the Minister for Police announced an internal police inquiry into the Callington murder. A 63 year old woman who lived on her own in Callington had rung the police the previous weekend saying that youths had thrown rocks through the window of her home. Sadly, police did not attend. No patrol car was dispatched and tragically she was found murdered at her home the next day. The minister claimed, before any evidence had been obtained, that the death was the result of an error of judgement. He also immediately ruled out resourcing as a factor. My questions are:

1. When will the report be made public?

2. Does the minister now agree that there is convincing, compelling evidence that the inquiry into the case should be done by somebody independent of both the minister and the police commissioner?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister Assisting the Premier in Public Sector Management) (14:20): I will refer that question to my colleague the Minister for Police and bring back a reply.