Peter Georgiou (WA, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My questions are for Senator Cash, who's representing the Minister for Home Affairs, Peter Dutton, in the Senate. In the past five federal budgets, the Commonwealth has provided $6.5 million in grant money to state police across Australia, none of which has been allocated to Western Australia. Furthermore, the federal government allocated $7.6 million in the 2016-17 budget to the New South Wales government to assist New South Wales police officers make voluntary superannuation contributions. Senator Cash, can you please explain why there is a financial disparity between police grants on the east and west coasts and whether efforts are underway to make it fairer?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Small and Family Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Georgiou for the question and for some notice of it. Senator Georgiou, I am instructed that the government does not seek to favour the provision of grants to any state or territory. In relation to the allocation of the $7.6 million to the New South Wales government that you raised, I am advised that the $7.6 million principally concerns taxation treatment for superannuation. Should the Western Australian government feel that there are similar issues that apply to Western Australian police, the government will look at the issue. The government is, of course, committed to keeping all Australians safe. If I can provide you with any further information in relation to your question, I will do so.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Georgiou, a supplementary question?

Peter Georgiou (WA, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The federal government has now set a precedent that it can help state police, as they did in New South Wales. Will the federal government commit an equal amount to help fund a WA police workers' compensation scheme?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Small and Family Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I advised in my response to your first question, the government does not seek to favour the provision of grants to any state or territory. In relation to the allocation of the $7.6 million to the New South Wales government, this is a very specific allocation and it does concern arrangements regarding the taxation treatment for superannuation. I am advised, though, by the minister that should the WA government feel they also have similar concerns or there are similar issues that would apply to Western Australian police then the government would be prepared to look at the issue.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Georgiou, a final supplementary question?

Peter Georgiou (WA, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The federal government gave $4 million to Victoria Police for the Trident Waterfront Taskforce and another $3.2 million to the New South Wales Police Force for the Polaris Joint Waterfront Taskforce. That was to tackle organised crime in those states. Given that WA is the meth capital of Australia, what assistance will the federal government offer to help tackle organised drug crime in Western Australia?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Small and Family Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Indeed, the Commonwealth government provides grants to a range of state and territory police, including through the use of the proceeds of crime fund. The WA police are also supported by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. The commissioner of the Western Australian police is a member of the ACIC board, which is where decisions about national policing information are made.

There are also other processes and procedures that the federal government has in place with the states, including with Western Australia, in relation to tackling organised crime. For example, the Australian Federal Police lead the National Anti-Gangs Squad. This works in conjunction with the state police, including the Western Australian police. In 2014, the government provided in excess of $10 million in funding to the AFP to support the establishment of the national— (Time expired)