John MacKenzie chats with Ian Leavers, President and CEO of the Queensland Police Union about a $10-million subsidy to install 20,000 engine immobilisers to deter car thefts in Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa.

John MacKenzie chats with Ian Leavers, President and CEO of the Queensland Police Union about a $10-million subsidy to install 20,000 engine immobilisers to deter car thefts in Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa. Eligible applicants can receive $500 in funding to pay for a secondary engine immobiliser, that only starts the engine when a pin code is entered or another similar connection to your mobile. The trial run will establish the effectiveness of these immobilisers in lowering car thefts and will help judge whether the technology should become mandatory. Ian Leavers also spoke about the struggle to recruit new officers in Queensland, after "poaching" 300 officers from overseas and over 100 from interstate sources.