Chris Ellison (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice and Customs) Share this | Hansard source

I have not had a chance to see those comments by Minister Brough, but I am not aware of Minister Brough being critical of state or territory police. That is certainly not my understanding. I place on record the government’s view that the Northern Territory Police have had a good deal of experience in law enforcement with Indigenous affairs, and I am on record as saying that we value the cooperation that we get from the Northern Territory Police. I said that in Alice Springs recently. I believe that they do a good job and I stand by that statement. I do not accept that Minister Brough has criticised the Northern Territory Police. I am not aware of him criticising any of the state or territory police. In fact, at the summit, we were talking about the cooperation with the state and territory police as being fundamental to progress in this area. I certainly believe the Northern Territory Police do a good job, and we appreciate the cooperation we get from them. Commissioner White does a very good job in leading the Northern Territory Police.