Police have been assured frontline services won’t be affected by a $116 million budget blowout as the Queensland premier launches his 100-day plan.
David Crisafulli was quick to reassure officers after his youth crime campaign helped end the Labor government’s nine-year reign at Saturday’s election.
The Liberal National Party leader said questions would be asked about a bungled lease that impacted the budget.
But he vowed to boost, not cut, police numbers.
Under the previous Labor government, Queensland Police signed a $116 million, 15-year lease to set up a new station at Stones Corner, in Brisbane’s inner south, with an option to extend it for a total of $240 million.
But the contract was reportedly signed before money was allocated for the major project, creating a $116 million budget black hole.
“There’s going to be some big questions asked about that, I can assure you,” Mr Crisafulli said on Tuesday.
“But my commitment to every person who wears a blue uniform is it will not impact your ability to do your job.”
He wasted little time backing police amid what he has called a youth crime crisis, visiting Commissioner Steve Gollschewski soon after being sworn in as premier.
Mr Crisafulli spent his second morning at the helm visiting a Brisbane police station, confirming the government’s commitment to 1600 recruits across its four-year term.
“There is no doubt that frontline police are under more pressure than they’ve ever been,” he said.
“If we give them the laws and give them the resources and they can see that they’re turning the corner as a state … I do believe we can get that attrition rate under control.”
Mr Crisafulli’s government has promised to legislate its “adult crime, adult time” laws by Christmas with two parliamentary sittings to close out 2024 once cabinet is officially announced.
Who will oversee the government’s law and order portfolio remains to be seen, with the cabinet expected to be formally sworn in on Friday.
Ninderry MP and former officer Dan Purdie was the opposition police spokesman before the election.
Another 100-day plan priority is to establish an independent delivery authority to launch a Brisbane 2032 infrastructure review, which will report back by March.
In one of his first acts as premier, Mr Crisafulli told the state’s 250,000-strong public servants there would be no cuts after heads rolled under the last LNP government from 2012-2015.
Mr Crisafulli sent an email on Monday to reassure the entire public service, saying his government would work with them to create a “one team approach”.
“A strong and stable public sector creates a strong and stable Queensland,” his email said.
“We have an ambitious and important agenda in the interest of Queenslanders, and you, the Queensland Public Sector, are vital to what we need to achieve.”
