Tamworth and Gunnedah have missed out on being selected as locations for the NSW Government’s crime inquiry.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the inquiry was visiting Kempsey, Coffs Harbour, Bourke, and Broken hill which is not good enough and would not give the government a complete understanding of what is driving crime.

“Our community has a right to feel safe in our homes, and recent disturbing incidences of crime have taken that right away from many,” Mr Anderson said.

“The government needs to know what is causing the increase in crime, particularly youth crime, and what needs to be done to address it.

“That’s why I’ve been calling on the crime inquiry to visit our region and hear directly from impacted residents and advocates.

“I welcome the announcement that the inquiry would be visiting the regions, however only visiting four regional communities does not go far enough.

“The inquiry needs to hear from a diverse range of stakeholders from right across the state.

“The issues facing Bourke and Coffs Harbour are not the same as the issues facing Gunnedah and Tamworth, and the committee needs to get on the road to hear from our communities.

“I know that a large number of the online submissions to the inquiry came from our region, so it makes sense for the inquiry to visit Tamworth and Gunnedah to hear directly from affected residents.

“I urge the inquiry to add Tamworth and Gunnedah to the list of locations to hold hearings of the inquiry.”

For more information on the inquiry, visit the NSW Parliament website.