Iemma Govt Gives Up Fight on Crime

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Shadow Minister for Justice Andrew Humpherson said today the Iemma Labor Government has raised the white flag on crime in New South Wales.

Commenting on the 120% increase in petrol theft, Senior Labor Government Minister Frank Sartor said today on Radio 2GB News: "The Federal Government must address petrol prices. It should have an inquiry into petrol prices. It should reduce its tax take of $7 billion and only then can we start to maybe address this crime."

"The Iemma Labor Government has clearly given up the fight on crime in NSW," Mr Humpherson said.

"Mr Sartor's comments show how arrogant and out of touch the Iemma Labor Government has become," he said.

"Theft of petrol from service stations is a crime – and should be treated as a crime. It's got nothing to do with the Federal Government.

"Any attempt by the Iemma Labor Government to say otherwise is a complete furphy designed to divert attention from their cutbacks in police numbers.

"Service station owners and the community would regard the theft of petrol as a serious crime and they would expect the State Government to take it seriously, not an attempt to run away from the issue.

"The people of NSW want and deserve higher standards," Mr Humpherson said.

Update