The Wire

Despite record spending, and a predicted surplus in Queensland’s 2006-07 Budget, the government has come under fire, with claims the budget is too heavily focussed on policing, rather than preventative social justice. Academic Sam Watson has slammed moves to boost community policing, with the provision of funding for five new Neighbourhood Police Beats and four new Shopfronts, and centres like Palm Island and Mt Isa to receive increased funding worth millions.