A muddled message regarding which tier of government is responsible for CCTV funding has been addressed by local Ballina MP Don Page.
He told Echonetdaily, ‘The attorney-general’s department does provide funding for crime-prevention programs and Byron Council has recently submitted a plan in the grant round that closed recently. I was originally advised that CCTV within a broader crime-prevention plan would be eligible for funding from the attorney-general’s department but I was recently advised that this is not the case: ie other crime-prevention measures are funded but not CCTV.
‘However I’m told that the minister for police may fund CCTV. I’m seeking clarification from the police minister’s office now.
‘My reason for contacting the relevant federal minister is that I recall the federal government did provide assistance for CCTV – in Murwillumbah a few years ago.
‘I haven’t heard back yet from the federal attorney-general at this stage, but I only wrote to her on December 13, after I received the negative advice from the NSW attorney-general regarding funding for CCTV.
‘I note that the federal coalition announced on October 8 last year that they would allocate $50 million to pay for CCTV in crime hot spots.’
