Regional crime inquiry gets underway in western NSW

The Parliamentary Inquiry into Community Safety in Regional and Rural Communities has started with hearings conducted in communities in western NSW.

Hearings have been held in Bourke and Broken Hill, with future locations and dates to be advised by the committee.

The inquiry has received almost 200 submissions from individuals, organisations and services from across NSW, including Narrabri.

The inquiry is investigating the drivers of youth crime in the regions, as well as specific actions the NSW government can take to support best practice prevention initiatives and improve community safety.

Bourke hosted the first hearing last Tuesday and was followed by a session in Broken Hill on Wednesday.

Committee chair, Edmond Atalla said these were the committee’s first regional hearings.

“As part of this inquiry, the committee wants to hear first-hand from regional communities about the issues they are experiencing with respect to crime and public safety,” Mr Atalla said.

“We also want to hear about services and programs that are working well – from standout community services to law enforcement initiatives and leading diversionary programs – as well as gaps in service provision that need to be addressed.

“Our recommendations to the NSW government will ultimately be informed by input and advocacy from regional and rural communities.

“Future public hearing dates will be published on the inquiry webpage in due course. I encourage anyone interested to monitor the page for updates.”

Narrabri Shire Council was one of many local government areas to make a submission, detailing its own work in relation to crime prevention.

In its submission, council said it is of the view that a whole of government approach is appropriate and necessary in the reduction of the drivers and root causes of youth crime in regional and rural NSW.

“Narrabri Shire, like many remote rural and regional areas, is experiencing increasing rates of juvenile crime. There is real concern that the age of legal responsibility (“Doli incapax” will be increased without appropriate analysis and supporting measures to our communities to manage youth crime and justice issues, including but not limited to appropriate diversion programs,” council’s submission read.

“A Youth Justice Taskforce, similar in nature to that introduced in Queensland, is urgently requested to enable a whole of community and government approach to this issue.

“The importance at crime prevention to our community has been recently reflected in a recently commissioned Micromex community satisfaction survey, which identifies that community safety/crime prevention has one of the highest levels of importance and the lowest levels of satisfaction.”

Council said further support and emphasis on diversionary programs, including the PCYC model, is needed.

In its 2023/24 operational plan, council has listed the investigation and advocacy into a PCYC that operates outreach services across the shire as an action item.

NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said the start of hearings in regional NSW is an important step to developing a whole-of-government approach.

“In the past year, we’ve heard terrible stories of people being bashed in their homes, knifed in their yards and having their cars stolen, leaving our residents living in fear,” Mr Saunders said.

“The fact is, it took the Premier more than six months to take this issue seriously, and the situation is only getting worse, so this inquiry has been a long time coming.

“Our communities have been calling for this, and now they finally have a chance to share their stories and help contribute to possible solutions that are tailored to them.

“Although this is a good start, I would like to see this inquiry expanded as soon as possible to visit more areas across the regions, because a cookie-cutter approach won’t work. Every community is different and will need slightly different approaches.”

Shadow Minister for Police Paul Toole, who is on the committee, encouraged people to get involved.

Mr Toole said the government has put a lot of focus on Moree, but the people of other regional communities are still no closer to a solution.

“This Parliamentary Inquiry will look at the problems in each area and will give our police the backing and resources they need to address this crisis,” Mr Toole said.

“Our country cops are doing the best they can. They are on the front-line every day and have done an excellent job at getting through a heavy workload with very little resources.

“But they need help, and this inquiry will give us the chance to figure out what the core issues are and what our hardworking police need to combat this issue.”