The NSW Nationals are calling on residents and families impacted by crime in regional parts of the state to come forward and share their stories through a new website that’s been launched to highlight the issue.
The NSW Government has announced a regional crime pilot program, but the majority of bush communities have been left out of it.
NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said the deepening crisis requires more than a one-off pilot program and it is unclear if this is new money or funding redirected from other programs.
“We acknowledge there is some effort being put towards a solution for one town in regional NSW, but what might work for Moree won’t work in other parts of the state,” Mr Saunders said.
“A cookie-cutter approach is not going to help families in other communities like Bourke, Dubbo, Casino, Orange, or Gunnedah that need help right now, so we want to hear from you.
“We need to design a response for each regional town because they will have different issues, different resources, different capacity on the ground and different organisations that can be engaged as part of the solution.
“There are also serious questions around how much money the government will commit in the budget to make this a reality after the pilot is complete.”
Shadow Minister for Police, Paul Toole, said the government’s response does not take away the need for a Parliamentary Inquiry into regional crime.
“We’ve got stories of people bashed in their homes, knifed in their driveways and having their cars stolen, and this can’t go on,” Mr Toole said.
“Communities are scared, and they can’t afford to wait for a lengthy trial to end before they see tangible change to keep families safe.
“Our country cops are doing the best they can. They are on the frontline day in and day out and have done an excellent job at getting through a heavy workload with little resources.
“But they need help to lighten the load, and an inquiry would help to figure out what the core issues are and what our hardworking police need to combat this issue.”
If you or someone you know has been impacted by crime in rural and regional parts of the state, please share your experiences at www.regionalcrime.com.au
