News

Police | June 16, 2016

Kealy slams Labor for closing Kaniva Police Station

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP has slammed the Labor Government for failing to resource the Kaniva Police Station, causing its temporary closure and leaving the community unprotected.

“The Kaniva Police Station is a ‘three man’ station that has been operating with only one Officer for almost 12 months”, Ms Kealy said.

“Two police members have been on long term leave and the third Officer is now on annual leave, with no backup resources being made available to staff the station.

“There is now an absurd sign on display in the window of the Kaniva Police Station advising people to attend the closest 24 hour Police Station in Horsham, which is over 100 km away or to dial 000. The sign also states that it is unconfirmed when the station will re-open.

“The closure of the Kaniva Police Station is just not good enough and local people deserve protection and reassurance of police attendance in an emergency situation”, she said.

Kaniva has a population of over 1,000 people and is situated on the Western Highway. There are no other police stations west of Nhill to the South Australia border.

“If a major road accident or other incident was to occur, police will have to respond from the closest station being Nhill, or possibly further”, Ms Kealy said.

“It is unacceptable that operational hours of police stations have to be reduced or closed simply because Labor put a freeze on Police training in 2014”, Ms Kealy said. 

“Local police are doing their best to cover increased workloads in an unworkable system where vacancies cannot be filled for extended periods, putting additional pressure on people who already have a very tough job.

“Our hardworking police officers do an outstanding job with extremely limited resources and are doing their utmost to protect our people, uphold the law and ensure safe communities.

“With the current crisis in police numbers across the State, I am calling on the Minister, Hon. Lisa Neville to urgently fund the desperately needed extra frontline police so that communities like Kaniva have access to the Police services they deserve”, she said.