Labor says state government should focus on cause, not just symptoms, of antisocial behaviour

On Wednesday Police Minister Rene Hidding announced that $110,000 will go towards running a formal trial of the Salvos’ project in Launceston and further support for the Hobart street teams.

Salvation Army social programs secretary Stuart Foster said over the three years the teams have operated in Hobart, they have contributed to a 53 per cent reduction in street violence.

The program involves volunteers offering a coffee cart service near the secure taxi rank, as well as roaming teams who identify people who might need extra assistance.

“For Launceston (the funds) would mean that we will be able to engage with more volunteers, because this is very much a volunteer based program, we have paid coordination, but the street teams themselves are all volunteers that come out between 10pm and 3am in the morning on Friday and Saturday nights,” Mr Foster said.

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Mr Hidding said while some teams had been operating in Launceston in the past 12 months, a formal trial would see if a similar reduction in violence was possible.

“We are encouraging them to go about it in the same way they go about it in Hobart and working with the particular environment in Launceston,” he said.

Bass Labor MHA Michelle O'Byrne said the Salvation Army’s street team project was a “wonderful operation” but the state government should invest more in preventing the problems in the first place.

“A good government doesn’t just support treatment of the symptoms, a good government should also be acting in any way to minimise the circumstances,” she said.

“If the government was serious about preventing harm to the community it would adopt Labor’s position and phase out pokies in pubs and clubs.”

She said health issues caused by problem gambling, such as depression and anger, were contributors to violent crime.

Mr Foster said the street teams were not only a benefit to individuals in the community, but to police and paramedics.

“They can be the eyes on the ground for the police where there are issues developing … they can get [vulnerable people] home, contact friends or arrange medical intervention if necessary.”