top of page
  • Writer's pictureLibby Mettam MLA

Detainee Debacle

Our state should be angry.

 

The tragic robbery and bashing of an innocent, elderly couple in our Perth community is both abhorrent and distressing.

 

Last week, we learnt that one of the alleged perpetrators of this attack was released as a detainee in last year’s high court bungle.

 

In Parliament last year, we were mocked and laughed at by the Cook Labor Government – just like we were with the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act – for asking if any of the 151 dangerous criminals released by Labor inaction were in the WA community.

 

Premier Cook promised all Western Australians that those released detainees who did end up in the WA community would be closely monitored by police. Appallingly, this former detainee – the alleged perpetrator of this horrific crime – did not have an ankle monitor placed on him. To make matters worse, this individual was let off with a warning after breaching his release conditions in February.

 

Western Australians deserve to feel safe in their own homes, and confident that the government is working hard to keep their promises.

 

The Cook Labor Government clearly cannot be trusted to keep our community safe.

 

TOM PRICE

In 2021, the then Health Minister and now Premier, Roger Cook, promised that construction for critical upgrades to the Tom Price Hospital would begin the following year.

 

Given that it is now May 2024, construction should have been completed. Instead, the initial funding promised for this key project has been pushed beyond the forward estimates. This means residents could be waiting another 6 years before we see the promised and needed upgrades to this crucial regional hospital.

 

Merome Beard MLA has highlighted the impact the current issue is having on resident retention, timely and effective healthcare, and community morale. These delays have left residence to commute hours to nearby hospitals for services that are not covered in Tom Price, or to use the current aging hospital, leading to concerns for patient safety.

 

This is just another example of Labor getting their priorities all wrong.

 

Western Australians across our regions deserve a government that will listen to them and deliver the vital infrastructure projects that are necessary for keeping their communities strong. This is just one project – in a long line of regional infrastructure –

 

Sadly, if you have an infrastructure project that Labor have promised to build – and it’s not their ‘pet project’ Metronet – don’t expect to receive any attention or priority.

 

ANZAC DAY

Last week, we paused to commemorate the sacrifice of our ANZAC soldiers in 1915, alongside the many Australians who have served and died in military operations.

 

Many Australians – serving in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations – committed the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live in the best country in the world.

 

They fought so we could be free.

 

Like thousands of Western Australians, I attended the Kings Park Dawn Service to honour the ANZACs, and Australia’s history of selfless service.

 

This commemoration not only honours their heroic sacrifices, but it ensures that we never take for granted the freedoms that make Australia the great country it is today.

 

Lest we forget.



Comentários


bottom of page