Gold Coast chopper on same flight path as cyclone shelters

BLIGH Labor’s police helicopter promise for the Gold Coast was on the same flight path as Labor’s cyclone shelters, the LNP said today.

LNP Shadow Minister for Police, Corrective Services & Emergency Services John-Paul Langbroek said Labor’s promise of $7.5 million for a permanent police helicopter for the Gold Coast could not be believed.

“It’s about as genuine as Labor’s promise for cyclone shelters,” Mr Langbroek said.

“Five years after the promise, the shelters are only just starting to happen and they wouldn’t have materialised without $30 million in aid from Abu Dhabi.”

Mr Langbroek said the 20-year, tired Labor government had ignored the need for a dedicated police helicopter to fight crime year after year – to the point where Gold Coast City Council had to fund the current trial with $500,000 of ratepayers’ funds.

“Why should anyone believe Anna Bligh and Labor about a police helicopter now? They’ve totally ignored the issue until the election was called.

“Indeed Labor’s retiring Police Minister Neil Roberts has spent years telling us we didn’t need one – all the while when armed and violent crime has spiralled out of control on the Gold Coast.

“No one should believe dodgy election promises from Anna Bligh and Labor.

“After years of inaction, Labor is now playing catch-up politics on the eve of an election. They have had 20 years to do this, fighting the issue the whole time and you can’t believe they will stick with this after the election.

“Only the LNP has been committed to provide Gold Coast police with a dedicated police helicopter to tackle crime and make our roads safe,” Mr Langbroek said.

“It’s time for a change. It’s time to get Queensland back on track.”