LNP Shadow Minister for Police John-Paul Langbroek said the community had widely welcomed the LNP’s Safer Streets Crime Action Plan released during the election campaign.

“The CanDo Safer Streets Crime Action Plan forms a major part of the LNP’s plan to revitalise frontline services,” Mr Langbroek said.

“The Queensland Police Union welcomed the announcement that a CanDo LNP Government will allocate $275 million to put 1100 extra new police on the front line in the fight against crime in Queensland.

“Queensland Police Union President Ian Leavers said:

‘Campbell Newman has today promised more than three times the number of police that Anna Bligh delivered last year alone, in the first year of his term as Premier, which shows he understands. Campbell Newman has today restored police recruiting to levels that we have not seen for over five years, since when Peter Beattie was Premier and before Anna Bligh had made cuts to police recruiting levels.‘”

Mr Leavers also praised the LNP’s boot camp program, saying it was preferable to keep as many young people out of jails as possible.

“Councils welcomed the announcement of funding which will help councils clean up graffiti.

“LGAQ Chief Executive Greg Hallam said:

‘The $2 million each year over four years that the LNP is promising to help councils clean up graffiti quickly would go a long way to discouraging this ugly practice… Graffiti costs Queensland councils about $10 million a year so this would be a significant boost in the armoury we have to combat it.’

“Crime Stoppers Queensland CEO Trevor O’Hara said the LNP’s commitment to channel an extra $1 million a year into Neighbourhood Watch and Crime Stoppers would ensure these essential organisations could keep on operating. He said:

‘This funding announcement from the LNP acknowledged the tremendous work conducted by our community volunteer organisation towards protecting our Queensland lifestyle.’

“The LNP is committed to its Safer Streets Crime Action Plan to restore frontline services and assist Queensland Police Service in continuing to keep our families safe,” Mr Langbroek said.

“The LNP will also:

Increase penalties for murder;

• Deliver a Major Crime Squad for the Gold Coast;
• Increase the penalty for evading police;Crack down on hoons;
• Crack down on graffiti crime and its offenders;
• Smash organised crime by implementing strong unexplained wealth orders.

“The CanDo LNP team has a strong vision to change things in Queensland for the better by making our streets safer, cutting unemployment to 4 per cent, reducing payroll tax and slashing red tape.

“You won’t have real action to increase police numbers without a change of government.

“It’s time for a change. It’s time to get Queensland back on track,” Mr Langbroek said.