A RE-ELECTED Federal Government will invest a further $20 million to help local communities tackle crime hotspots, strengthen security for schools and boost crime prevention efforts.
Visiting Mandurah this morning, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it was estimated the additional funding would allow communities to install up to 2600 CCTV cameras in around 500 crime hotspots across Australia.
It is estimated the additional funding would allow local communities to install up to 2600 CCTV cameras in around 500 crime hotspots across the country.
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READ NOWIt would be funded by the proceeds of crime through the Safer Communities Fund grants program that has already delivered more than $130 million across 340 projects.
Mr Morrison, who announced CCTV funding on the same spot four years ago, said his priority was to keep Australians safe.
The Federal Government would also invest $6.5 million in extending the Choices Program in WA to five health campuses including Peel Health Campus.
The program connects people, who frequently appear in hospital and the courts, with a wide range of community supports to address their mental health issues and/or abuse of alcohol or other drugs including ice.
Under the Coalition’s plan, the National Anti-Gangs Squad (NAGS) will receive $90.6 million in additional funding to target organised criminals, particularly bikie and emerging gangs.
Since the Coalition established the NAGS in 2014, operations have led to the arrest of more than 1270 offenders and the seizure of almost 6000 illicit firearms and firearms parts and 2.5 tonnes of illicit drugs and precursors.
“We will be tough on drug criminals but will help individuals and families struggling with addiction,’’ Mr Morrison said.
“We have already invested $450 million to help communities fight the impacts of ice, including funding more than 200 Local Drug Action Teams and delivered 435 local drug and alcohol services.
“The Coalition’s plan for tackling ice is backed up by a commitment to strengthen the penalties for serious offenders.
“We have sought parliament’s support for mandatory minimum sentences for child sex offenders and will seek it for firearms trafficking offences.
“We will also take action to strengthen the character test to ensure that foreign nationals who commit serious offences against our communities will have their visas cancelled and be removed.”