OFF THE WIRE
OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott has vowed to crack down on escalating bikie
violence and will consider reinstating the now closed Gold Coast Federal Police
Station if the Coalition wins the September election.
Speaking on the
Gold Coast as part of a two-day tour of the city, Mr Abbott also vowed to extend
the light rail to the heavy rail and down to the airport ``over time'', if in
government.
Speaking at the TSS breakfast in front of more that 1000
loyal supporters, Mr Abbott said the Gold Coast was a ``super city'' with a
``have-a-go spirit''.
But he admitted there were problems, including
bikies and a lack of infrastructure.
``I think you can judge the
Coalition on its record and the Howard Government did put an Australian Federal
Police station here on the Gold Coast for precisely this reason (bikies),'' he
said.
``It's an important city and it has particular problems and
obviously it has become a bit of a focus for bikie gangs.
``We will be
closely monitoring what the Commonwealth Government, what the Australian Crime
Commission can do to bring gangs which have national operations under better
control, should we win the election.''
He said a Coalition government
would ``fully restore'' a community crime prevention program.
``It did
exist under the Howard Government. It was abolished substantially under the
current Government. We put the proceeds of crime to work to make our communities
safer through better lighting and through CCTV in crime hotspots.''
Mr
Abbott fell short of committing to reopen the Federal Police station, but said
he would look closely at it.
``You need to get operational advice from
the Australian Federal Police but judge us on our record. We have a very strong
record when it comes to crime prevention on the Gold Coast.''
Mr Abbott
also said the Gold Coast had ``particular infrastructure difficulties'' that
needed addressing.
``I will be making announcements about the
Commonwealth Games in the lead-up to the election. Everyone on the Gold Coast
appreciates that the light rail system does need to link up to other
infrastructure.
``It is difficult to put a timeline on it but obviously
should we form a government we want to work with the Queensland Government and
the Gold Coast city council to be as helpful as we can be.''
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2013/06/12/452998_gold-coast-news.html
