Scott Bacon: RTI docs reveal Libs’ true police priorities

Far from protecting frontline services, the Liberal Government has directed Tasmania Police to make “immediate” budget savings, RTI documents released by Labor show.

Shadow Treasurer Scott Bacon said the Liberals were breaking an expensive election promise.

“The Liberals’ first instruction to Tasmania Police was to cut costs, which flies in the face of their election commitment to increase police resources,” Mr Bacon said.

“The Liberals bought their way into Government with over $500 million in promises that they knew they couldn’t afford.

“Now, just like Tony Abbott, they are systematically breaking their promises.”

Mr Bacon said it was inevitable that crucial services would be affected as a result of the directive to Commanders to cut costs.

The directive states: “Commanders/Directors are required to take immediate action to ensure that budgets within their commands are reviewed in accordance with the above direction and only essential expenditure is incurred for the remainder of this financial year.”

“This letter exposes the Liberal Party’s misleading promise to protect frontline services,” Mr Bacon said.

“The only new police on the beat since the election were commissioned by Labor.”
Scott Bacon MP Shadow Treasurer