Burglaries on day of visit highlight Carnarvon’s crime crisis, says Federal Nationals leader David Littleproud

Federal Nationals Leader David Littleproud didn’t need long to be shown prime examples of why Carnarvon is in the grip of a crime crisis. As some of the biggest names in Canberra politics arrived in regional WA this week, it was Mr Littleproud who touched down in Carnarvon, speaking with victims of burglaries and calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to visit the town. Crime was top of Mr Littleproud’s agenda as he called on the Federal Government to bring in measures to address the issue, including bringing in the now defunct cashless debit card. The Nationals leader was in Carnarvon on Monday and Tuesday, speaking with local figures including Carnarvon Shire president Eddie Smith and Nationals North West MLA Merome Beard. The town saw several break-ins on the same days as Mr Littleproud was visiting or just before his arrival, including burglaries on Ms Beard’s office, a local vet and the local bowls club. Victor Barrett, of Coral Coast Vets, said he felt he in a hopeless situation, revealing this was the 15th time in 18 months the business had been broken into. “After this many times where nothing happens, it’s just a joke. They know they’re going to get away with so no they’re doing it in broad daylight,” he said. Mr Littleproud said he had spoken with locals, including Indigenous leaders, about solutions to the town’s crime problems, and said Mr Albanese should do the same. He joins several names, including Cr Smith and local Federal MP Melissa Price, in calling for Mr Albanese to visit the town. “The Prime Minister needs to show real leadership and accept the invitation of the Carnarvon Shire council and other regional WA councils to visit as a priority, to see first-hand the problems on the ground,” Mr Littleproud said. Ms Beard echoed the sentiment. “Our town has been torn apart by Labor’s inaction and lack of urgency at responding to the local calls for help,” she said. The Federal Nationals leader also raised concern over the Albanese Government’s decision to abandon the cashless debit card, which he said had led to a “surge in violence and crime”. The card had not been implemented in Carnarvon previously, but Mr Littleproud said it was something that should be brought to the Gascoyne. Mr Albanese, speaking in Kalgoorlie on the same day, stood by the decision to scrap the card which he described as “patronising”. “We took the evidence from the reports that were given to us when we made that decision,” Mr Albanese said. “And what we know is that the issues in many of these communities go to intergenerational disadvantage. There are these complex problems that require all of government and the community to work together. It requires us to listen to the communities.” Another measure Mr Littleproud said should be implemented in Carnarvon was a youth safe house where children will be able to stay during the night. Community worker Kay Mongoo also said it was a measure worth implementing. “Hopefully we can get a safe house, sometime, take the kids there at night, feed them, let them have a sleep,” she said. The Nationals leader will be in Geraldton on Wednesday.