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VICTORIA’S Police Minister is standing back from debate over a proposed cross-border ice taskforce, declaring it an operational matter for police.
Wade Noonan said it was “not for the police minister to be directing how police do their job”, and would not answer directly when asked whether he believed an Albury-Wodonga taskforce could be effective in the battle against ice.
“I will leave the issues about resource allocation to police, but I make the point that they already collaborate with other states and Federal Police to disrupt the supply of drugs,” he said.
“This would be very much an operational decision of Victoria Police to determine whether or not a specialised taskforce was something that’s needed.
The idea of a cross-border taskforce was raised by Murray MP Sharman Stone and was welcomed by NSW Police.
Retiring North East magistrate Joh Murphy renewed the discussion earlier this month, to which Victoria Police and Benambra MP Bill Tilley said the idea had merit.