Police union boss says we’re being taken ‘for fools’ by government

Broadcast on 3AW on 1 June 2021

The head of the police union says the state government is either clueless or taking Victorians for “for fools” after it insisted it had not decided where it would build Melbourne’s second supervised drug-injecting facility, despite buying the former Yooralla building opposite Flinders Street Station.

There is strong opposition to the facility being built in the heart of the CBD, with business owners concerned about the possible impacts of crime and people staying away.

The police union is also opposed to the proposal.

Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt likened the government’s stance to a TV comedy.

“I reckon Rob Sitch could use this as a script for Utopia, fair dinkum,” he told Neil Mitchell.

“The government, at a minute past midnight, puts out a press release saying they bought a building but they don’t know what they’re going to use it for.

“They’re either taking Victorians for fools, or they really don’t have a clue what’s going on.

“I would just prefer that if you’re going to just ignore the community, if you’re going to ignore their opposition, if you’re going to ignore the advice, then just have the guts to stand up and say that.

“But don’t take us all for fools.”