What action has the Government taken to counter the spread of 5T Asian crime gangs beyond Cabramatta?
Mr WHELAN: Honourable members will be aware that since taking office this Government has launched an all-out assault on drug crime in Cabramatta. In contrast to the record of the previous Government, this has led to record numbers of drug-related charges and arrests by police. The Government is determined to destroy Cabramatta’s reputation as the heroin capital of Australia. After seven years of coalition neglect the Government has provided the police resources and initiatives necessary to stamp out this insidious drug trade. The honourable member will be delighted to hear that in seeking to regain control of the streets of Cabramatta the results of these initiatives, thus far, have been dramatic. Between January and December this year, special anti-drug police operations have resulted in almost 4,300 charges being laid against more than 2,000 people. A third of these charges are drug related and many involve the supply and possession of heroin. The police operations include the joint
