Rydalmore shooting the 72nd under O'Farrell
Posted: Monday, 9 July 2012 | By: John Robertson ,Nathan Rees
A Rydalmere home has been shot at overnight in the 72nd shooting under the O'Farrell Government in this year alone, NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson said today.
This is the third shooting in only 24 hours and follows another shooting on Sunday in Hilltop Road, Merrylands. A man was also shot in the abdomen in Auburn on Saturday night.
"There have now been an extraordinary 72 shootings in this year alone under the O'Farrell Government," Mr Robertson said.
"It is clear the O'Farrell Government's policies have failed to put a dent in Sydney’s gun crime.
"Barry O'Farrell promised to end the shootings plaguing Sydney streets – but instead we have seen 72 shootings in this year alone on his watch.
“In recent weeks we’ve witnessed shootings across Sydney – from Auburn to Revesby, Mount Druitt, Eastlakes and Punchbowl.
"The families living in these suburban streets shouldn’t have to be woken by the sound of gunshots.
“While western Sydney police stations are not being allocated enough resources to handle even basic duties – Barry O’Farrell’s own Local Area Command up in Ku-ring-gai is five officers above strength.
“Police are doing their best in tough circumstances – but their task will only get harder when the O’Farrell Government’s 15,000 job cuts force more officers off the streets to plug backroom holes."
Shadow Police Minister, Nathan Rees said the O'Farrell Government had to explain why no gang in NSW had been declared a criminal organisation.
"The O'Farrell Government has the power to outlaw gangs known to be involved in criminal activity – so why aren't they using these laws?" Mr Rees said.
"The Premier is sitting on his hands when it comes to dealing with the 72 shootings that have occurred on his watch.
"Why hasn’t the Premier outlawed gangs known to be involved in criminal activity? Why are Local Area Commands across Sydney still critically understaffed?
"Until the O'Farrell Government gets serious and outlaws these gangs and floods our streets with the extra police officers we need, I fear these shootings will continue to plague our city."
Tags: Barry O'Farrell, crime, John Robertson, law and order, Nathan Rees, shooting, Western Sydney