Acting Shadow Minister for Police, Greg Smith SC, today called on the Iemma Labor Government to drop its spin and urgently resource DNA tests to get rapists off the streets. 

“Under-resourcing is letting rapists roam the streets as the Iemma Government ignores calls from the Ombudsman, detectives and the community to fund DNA testing,” Mr Smith said.

“The Iemma Government’s four-month delay in DNA tests to identify a vicious attacker who threatened the life of his young female victim with a box-cutter and tried to strangle and rape her, is evidence of the systemic under-resourcing of DNA testing,” he said.

“The community won’t accept Labor’s spin and excuses if this man strikes again. His 23 year old victim was walking home on May 25 when this criminal threatened to kill her.

“The victim then survived an attempted strangling before escaping and running home. Prompt action by Police created test swabs which were submitted along with her clothing for urgent DNA testing. The Police held up their end of the bargain, but Labor’s under-resourcing caused this four-month delay.

“The State Labor Government needs to explain to the community why these tests haven’t been finalised.

“When it takes over four months to analyse DNA it is obvious Labor’s claims that they’re pouring resources into the Division of Analytical Laboratories and other test facilities are fiction.

“Even the Ombudsman is dumbfounded. He recently reiterated criticisms first made in 2004, saying the Division:  ‘Is unable to process the ever increasing number of DNA samples submitted by NSW Police…This has resulted in a large backlog, court delays, and concerns about evidence of potential significance remaining unexamined’.

“While outsourcing and other strategies are being trialled, the Ombudsman recommended the government consider the long term position of DNA analysis services including funding, independence as well as resourcing research and development.

“The Police Minister claimed the Budget provided for greater resources for DNA testing. Is this another one of Labor’s phantom promises that end up somewhere in the never never?

“Women and other vulnerable people need urgent action, not spin, to make our community safe from dangerous predators,” Mr Smith said.