Tricia Hitchen today said Labor’s claims that the Liberal Party will abolish Police bicycle patrols and sack public servants are clear examples of Labor Party lies at their worst.

“This is simply Labor’s desperate attempt to distract the public from the real problems that Labor has created within the NSW Police Force,” Mrs Hitchen said.  

“I know from 24 years’ experience in the Police Force that bike patrols are one of the best weapons against theft, crime and graffiti, particularly in shopping and business areas. As a candidate in the Liberal team I am committed to ensuring Penrith Local Area Command has access to this vital resource.

“The Liberal Party is also committed to reinstating the 650 Police Officers that Labor has slashed since the last election in 2003,” Mrs Hitchen said.  

“Labor Party claims that we will sack public servants are also completely untrue.

“The Liberal Party has a clear and simple policy under which Sydney bureaucrats who retire or resign will not be replaced from outside the public service.  

“NO public servants will be sacked, and we will replace ALL frontline staff who serve the community.

“The Labor Party are resorting to lies and fabrications to hide their failings.  

“Local Police work very hard under a lot of pressure to protect our community, but they are not getting any help from Carl Scully and the Iemma Labor Government.

“The Iemma Labor Government has failed to spend more than $30 million they had promised for upgrading police stations.  

“Officers across NSW are now being forced to put up with crumbling, over-crowded police stations while Carl Scully and his Labor colleagues spend $100 million on Labor Government advertising before the election.

“These are the stories the Labor Party doesn’t want the public to hear, and they are so desperate to divert attention for their failures that they will do anything, even if it means resorting to lies.”  

“As a former Chief Inspector in the Police Force, I believe our Police deserve decent police stations, more resources and more officers on the street protecting our community.

“The people of Penrith and the Lower Blue Mountains can be assured that I will fight for a better deal for our Police,” Mrs Hitchen concluded.