Sunday, 14 July 2002

Media Release

Last week’s decision by Michael Costa, NSW Police Minister to reject Council’s proposal for NSW Police to part fund the ongoing cost of Cabramatta’s CCTV system has been described as ‘profoundly disappointing’ by Fairfield Councillor Thang Ngo, who will seek a private meeting with the Police Minister to try and change his mind.

Cr Ngo said the decision means that the local residents and businesses will be stuck with being the sole contributors to the close circuit TV (CCTV) system which cost over $400,000 per year to run.

A recent independent review of the Cabramatta CCTV system commissioned by Council found that 85.03% of incidents recorded by the system over the past five years were police related incidents and were reported to Cabramatta police.

Council related incidents accounted for just 8.18% and emergency incidents such as drug overdoses accounted for the remaining 6.79% of incidents recorded.

Cabramatta police have repeatedly claimed the CCTV system plays a key role in assisting police. In NSW Police’s submission to the CCTV review, Local Area Commander Frank Hansen wrote "… the CCTV is of significant value to policing within the CBD of Cabramatta and Canley Vale".

Mr Hansen concludes with "…The loss of such a programme, or any prospect of downgrading its function or its operating times would be felt by this command in a negative sense."

Cr Ngo said the Police can’t have it both ways, they are by far the greatest beneficiary of the system and should contribute to the significant on-running costs.

Cr Ngo said Cabramatta MP, Reba Meagher has failed her first test since her controversial appointment as Parliamentary Secretary to the Police Minister.

"Ms Meagher promised that she would advocate on behalf of Cabramatta to gain police funding and she was invited to the meeting when Fairfield Mayor, Cr Khoshaba discussed this issue with the Police Minister" said Cr Ngo.

"Her appointment as Parliamentary Secretary to the Police Minister was promoted with great fanfare, but when it counts, she failed miserably.

"Ms Meagher couldn’t get one cent from the Police Minister in this year’s budget to contribute to the ongoing running cost of the CCTV system which costs more than $400,000 a year.

Cr Ngo said that the $400,000 will now have to come from every rate payer, every year, in Fairfield.

"It seems having your local MP as parliamentary secretary to the Police Minister doesn’t guarantee that the community won’t get short changed" said Cr Ngo.

Cr Ngo urged Ms Meagher to ‘work a little harder’ for her constituents.

"I’ve written to the Police Commissioner asking him to review this decision and have asked for a personal meeting to represent our community" said Cr Ngo.

ENDS

UNITY FAIRFIELD COUNCILLOR THANG NGO – 0410 33 88 33 (m)