Ross Hart (Bass, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If there's one issue which demonstrates the absolute and utter contempt this government holds for Tasmania and Tasmanian residents, it's the absence of Federal Police within Tasmania and stationed at Hobart Airport. This is vitally important to the entirety of the state, not just to the staffing of police at the Hobart Airport. The Abbott government cut resources for the AFP at Hobart Airport in the horror 2014-15 federal budget, forcing the AFP to withdraw 27 police officers from Hobart Airport. This has left it as the only capital city airport within Australia without an AFP presence, which has forced diversion of Tasmania Police resources away from community policing to patrol the airport. And, of course, that affects people throughout Tasmania. This has placed significant strain on Tasmania Police resources and has reduced their capacity to ensure community safety across the state. The results of this are potentially devastating to Tasmania, with reports of drugs flooding into Tasmania whether through the airport or across Bass Strait.

Even state and federal Liberals have called on the Turnbull government to reinstate the AFP personnel. I call on Malcolm Turnbull to reconsider this disastrous decision—

Mark Coulton (Parkes, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member will refer to members by their correct titles.

Ross Hart (Bass, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I call on the Prime Minister to reconsider this disastrous decision. (Time expired)