INACTION LEADING TO MISTRUST

The people of NSW are entitled to be sceptical about their police force.

A year ago a rabble composed largely of trade union members unlawfully
picketed the wharves, bashed truck drivers and damaged property. There were
no arrests.

Last Saturday, The Daily Telegraph published photographs of a caravan used
to distribute heroin and other illegal drugs as it stood parked in a Redfern
lane.

That caravan has been there two months, it superceded a previous model which
had been in place for about 12 months.

The neighbours have been complaining about the situation for a year.

South Sydney Council workers attempted to place No Standing signs in the
vicinity but they were torn down and the workers threatened.

Asked about the drug operation, police spokesmen variously said that they
were unable to do anything because the caravan was licenced. What a current
RTA licence has to do with legitimising the sale of heroin was unexplained.

Another officer said talks with South Sydney Council were necessary. What
South Sydney Council has to do with the sale of heroin was unexplained.

Not until Tuesday evening, a full year after residents first complained
about the drug action, was the second caravan moved and it would seem clear
that it was picked up because of the publicity given to the outrageous state
of affairs by the Daily Telegraph.

This case of well-documented inaction should be the subject of a
parliamentary inquiry at the very least.