The Gutwein Government needs to detail what it is doing to ensure there are enough police on the beat to ensure public safety over the Christmas and new year period.
Shadow Police Minister Jen Butler said it was concerning that a decision had been made to double the numbers of officers assigned to hotel quarantine without consulting the Police Association.
Ms Butler said the decision is at odds with Premier Peter Gutwein's assurances that international flights would not be accepted without adequate Australian Defence Force resources being provided by the Commonwealth.
Ms Butler said Labor fully supported the Police Association of Tasmania's concerns that the decision to double the number of police officers assigned to emergency management at hotel quarantine left significant gaps in the ability to maintain public order, undertake criminal investigation and traffic policing.
"The police should not be forced to make do or just do their best to make ends meet," Ms Butler said.
"We were told that mercy flights from overseas were delayed because the Tasmanian Government and the Commonwealth were negotiating over ADF numbers to staff the hotel. Clearly that did not happen effectively.
"The Police Minister Mark Shelton has not consulted with Tasmania Police about pulling too many police from the streets to work alongside ADF staff and that's short-sighted and irresponsible.
"Police are facing what is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year and they need to be focussed on the frontline.
"The Premier needs to step in and instead of re-directing police officers, demand that Canberra delivers more Australian Defence Force personnel to ensure that police are able to get on with the job and the quarantine hotel has the best possible security to keep all Tasmanians safe."
Jen Butler MP
Shadow Police, Fire and Emergency Management Minister
