Other speeches

This page is dedicated to Peter's speeches made outside of parliament. They include Peter's speeches at local events in the Southport electorate such as School functions, building openings and non for profit groups functions.

They usually include a list of acknowledgements of the people attending the function, a special acknowledgement to the traditional owners of the land as well as dot point notes used by Peter.

Please click on the links below to view Peter speeches for the relevant year:-

Speaking Points; Neighbourhood Watch State Rally
Posted by Administrator (admin) on Oct 09 2004
Other Speeches >>

Acknowledgements

 Bob Atkinson, Commissioner of Police, Queensland Police Service
 David Melville, Assistant Commissioner, Queensland Police Service
 Superintendent Brett Pointing, District Officer, Gold Coast District
 Ron Clarke, Mayor - Gold Coast City Council
 Chris Lecky, Consumer Business Manager, CGU Insurance
 Ladies and Gentlemen


 Thank you for the opportunity to be here today.

 I have attended a lot of Neighbourhood Watch Meetings since I became the member for Southport.

 Anecdote about NHW involvement.

 As I am sure most of you are aware, the Neighbourhood Watch Program began in Queensland in 1988.

 In fact, the very first Neighbourhood Watch Group in this State was right here on the Gold Coast - in the Isle of Capri and Sorrento area.

 While the primary focus of Neighbourhood Watch is residential, it has expanded and diversified to include the Marine, Commercial and Rural Watch programs.

 There are now about 685 active Neighbourhood Watch areas in Queensland - and might I add that 59 of these are here on the Gold Coast.

 I would like to take this opportunity to thank - on behalf of the Queensland Government - everyone here today for their commitment to crime prevention - and please relay my thanks to members across Queensland.

 Law and order has always been a priority of the Beattie Government and it will continue to be so.

 For the first time in history, more than one billion dollars is going towards enhancing policing services and crime fighting.

 This year's police budget of $1.094 billion represents an increase of $93 million compared with the previous year.

 The Beattie Government is also committed to increasing police numbers and will exceed the goal of having 9,100 police officers on the beat by 2005.

 After 2005, police numbers will be maintained above the national police to population ratio.

 During the next three years, the Beattie Government will spend more than $11 million for DNA profiling, $2.6 million to link the police service with the National DNA Database, and $5.4 million for live scan equipment allowing police to electronically take fingerprints.

 The Beattie Government will also set up 25 new police beats around the State over the next three years, as part of its election commitments for policing.

 You might be interested to know that that a Neighbourhood Police Beat will be established at Biggera Waters, with the program also expanded to Broadwater, Arundel and Pacific Pines.

 Despite all of this work and the way technology and science is making improvements in Policing in Queensland - there is no doubt about the need for Neighbourhood Watch programs in the community.

 Crime prevention is a whole of community responsibility - it is not something the Queensland Police Service or the Queensland Government can do alone.

 That is why community based crime prevention programs such as Neighbourhood Watch are as relevant today as ever.

 It is through these community partnerships that we will continue to reduce Queensland's crime rates.

 Between the 1st of July and 31st of December last year, compared with the same six-month period in 2002, Queensland recorded a:

- a six per cent drop in property offences;
- a two per cent drop in offences against people;
- a 19 percent drop in the unlawful use of motor vehicles;
- a 14 per cent drop in the unlawful entry of homes;
- an eight per cent drop in the unlawful entry of shops;
- a 14 per cent drop in theft from vehicles; and
- a nine per cent drop in theft from homes;

 While it is pleasing to see a reduction in crime, it is important we don't become complacent.

 That is why the issues being discusses at this rally - such as how to ensure the future success of Neighbourhood Watch, local best practice initiatives and Neighbourhood Watch information and intelligence - are so important.

 The Community Safety Project is a great example of how Neighbourhood Watch is joining in partnership with other agencies to encourage more people to become aware of its activities.

 I understand during today's rally, the Police Service's Ethical Standards Command will do a presentation as part of its current evaluation of Neighbourhood Watch.

 I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to provide feedback.

 In closing, I would again like to thank you for your dedication crime prevention in your communities.

 Without people like you, Neighbourhood Watch simply wouldn't exist.

 You provide a service which is much valued by the Beattie Government, the Queensland Police Service and the communities in which you live.

 Thank-you.

Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 12:00 AM

• 2010
• 2009
• 2008
• 2007
• 2006
• 2005
• 2004
• 2003
• 2002
• 2001