Today I speak on the topic of policing and safety in Cabramatta. I proudly represent an electorate that is one of the most diverse cultural areas in New South Wales. Cabramatta is a lively and vibrant place, where many migrants and refugees have decided to reside. Thousands of visitors come from across Sydney every weekend to experience some of the best food and cultural activities that Sydney has to offer. Please do feel welcome to visit Cabramatta to walk around the shops, attend the cultural activities and enjoy some of the best food. The cultural diversity we celebrate today can be traced back to the 1960s and 1970s, when Cabramatta played a pivotal role in providing essential shelter to many migrants and refugees, particularly those from South‑East Asia following the end of the Vietnam War.
However, the vibrant Cabramatta we are all familiar with today was once tainted with crime and drugs. In the 1990s drug use was prevalent in Cabramatta and there was a perception that Cabramatta was closely linked with drug‑related crime. Stories of children playing in the park only to stumble upon syringes on the ground, or of bodies of overdose victims lying in the street, are all too familiar to those who lived in Cabramatta. During the 1990s I saw many syringes on the streets of Cabramatta and drug‑related activities around the train stations. The lowest point and the saddest time, which caught the attention of the State and the country, was when the former member for Cabramatta, John Newman, was assassinated.
It is unfortunate that it required such a significant event for decisive action to be taken to address the drug issues and the crime problems in Cabramatta. However, the subsequent increase in resources and funding to Cabramatta improved law and order. NSW Police Force operations such as Operation Puccini, Operation Hammer, Strike Force Scotsville and Strike Force Portville, together with the CCTV initiative of the Fairfield City Council at the time, focused on solving the drug trafficking issues in and around Cabramatta and investigated serious criminal offences. This contributed towards clearing the streets of drug‑related problems. The New South Wales Legislative Council Inquiry into Cabramatta Policing, established in June 2000, made sure that the New South Wales Government had a comprehensive and long‑term plan for the area.
In 2003, about 20 years ago, the new Cabramatta Police Station on Cabramatta Road was completed and officially opened. All subsequent crime and justice statistics, research and articles have reported reduced and stable crime rates in Cabramatta. We are also hearing more positive stories coming from Cabramatta. Increased funding and assistance to the Cabramatta Local Area Command and the Fairfield Local Area Command were instrumental in improving security and enhancing quality of life for my constituents. It is important that this continues to be supported.
I had the pleasure of attending the Community and Police Expo earlier this year, an annual event hosted by the Fairfield City Police Area Command [PAC]. The expo showcased various units within the NSW Police Force, including the police air wing, mounted police, dog squad, highway patrol and much more. This event is a fantastic opportunity for community members to learn more about the NSW Police Force and is just one example of the proactive community engagement initiatives undertaken by the command to develop deeper connections with the community. However, over the past decade we have seen the amalgamation of the Cabramatta and Fairfield local area commands into the Fairfield PAC. This reorganisation has seen most constables relocated to the Fairfield Police Station, and this has raised various concerns.
For any community, a sense of security and peace of mind is largely reliant on the presence of police officers patrolling the streets. It is important that this concern is addressed and that, despite the amalgamation, police patrols are kept up in my community. During the recent attestation of class 359 in early August 2023, I understand that 159 new probationary constables were sworn in to start their policing career, of which five were introduced to the Fairfield PAC. I extend my best wishes to them as they embark on their career with the NSW Police Force. It is very important that there is equitable and fair distribution of resources to ensure that the Cabramatta Police Station part of the Fairfield PAC remains equipped with the necessary tools, personnel and support to continue police efforts to keep my community safe.
The effective functioning of the Fairfield PAC through adequate support plays a significant role not only in the safety of our streets but also in the quality of life for individuals in the community. By prioritising sufficient funding and resources, we can commit towards fostering a safe and secure environment for all. I look forward to continuing working with the Minister for Police and Counter Terrorism and the Minns Labor Government to ensure that my community, the Cabramatta Police Station LAC and the Fairfield PAC receive adequate funding and support to continue the great work they do in keeping my community safe.
