Opposition Senate leader Michael Dunkley yesterday criticised the Premier for visiting Westgate inmates instead of those who live in crime-stricken areas.

While Senator Dunkley said he did not have a problem with the Premier visiting the prison, he felt Ewart Brown should have put more focus on the correctional officers working there.

However, Government Senator Marc Bean defended the visit, saying it would be difficult for the Premier to speak with all of the correctional officers.

On Monday, Dr. Brown spent an hour talking to a group of Westgate inmates following a tour of the facility.

Commenting on the visit during Senate's motion to adjourn yesterday, Sen. Dunkley said: "It was strange, because it appears the Premier went specifically to visit those in prison.

"The prison officers would have been just as appropriate to visit. They are facing a more difficult job this year that they did the year before. They have very little in the way of protection. They don't have the Tasers that Police have."

He added that Dr. Brown should be taking more time to meet with the communities hurt by the rise in violent crime if he wanted to make the most from the remainder of his term as Premier.

He said: "People would love to hear that the Premier is visiting these areas. The fact of the matter is that people in these areas are hurting.

"It appears as though the Premier is on somewhat of a farewell tour. If that is the case, it would be best if he tackled the issues people are most concerned about, and that is crime and the economy."

Defending the Premier, Sen. Bean said he wanted to know when Mr. Dunkley had last visited areas that he considered trouble spots. He asked: "When was the last time (Mr. Dunkley) has been to St. Monica's Road, or Ord Road?

"Don't just say it, do it. I do it. I don't just sit around in Senate and say things. That's poli-tricks."

With Commissioner of Corrections Eddie Lamb looking on from the audience, Sen. Bean agreed that the correctional officers have a difficult job, but he questioned the feasibility of the Premier meeting with them.

"It's easy to speak to a group of prisoners, but how is the Premier supposed to have a meeting with all of the correctional officers? What would the prisoners do?

"This just sounds like political football to me."