Page 691 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 5 July 1989
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
In conclusion, Mr Speaker, I would like to comment on the reporting date. The date of 25 July is absolutely absurd. There is no way that the community groups that are concerned about this issue will have the opportunity to meet, determine their policies and attitudes, prepare well-considered submissions and present those to the committee.
MR COLLAERY (12.08), in reply: Mr Speaker, the situation in the Assembly today has been to give the public a very good inkling of the views that will be advanced in later debate. But I enjoin all members to note that a very sincere proposal was put to the Liberal Party that we have a consultation period.
The initiative came from the Residents Rally, and it is consistent with our long-held policies on justice in the ACT. We stated before the election that we had to ensure that there was a comprehensive assessment of community policing needs and the real crime problem in the ACT. The Residents Rally had examined a number of issues concerning the pros and cons of a community police force vis-a-vis a contracted police force along the lines of the Canadian model. When the Rally was working on its community policing model, my colleague Mr Jensen had discussions with the late assistant commissioner, Colin Winchester.
The Rally has a very strong community based commitment to ensuring that there is in this Territory a government fully accountable and responsive to the demands of the community and that we will have a government here that will treat all in the community - both the oppressed and the oppressors, as equal. I have chosen those words from the Chief Minister's maiden speech to the Assembly.
The irony of this discussion is that we are probably all on the same ground on some fundamental issues. But there is one ideological problem, Mr Speaker, about the Labor Party agreeing to this motion. It is that it really has run this Territory for years and years and years. It has almost always had the numbers. Occasionally the numbers did not go its way. It is determined to bring in single-member electorates and the like, and if it does not move the select committee it is irked. This is a response of someone who is irked about it.
But let me assure the Deputy Chief Minister that the committee will examine the law to see that it applies equally and fairly and it will not be misused or extended in its operation. The committee would certainly do that. If the Deputy Chief Minister is concerned about his own safety let me assure him that he will be able to get away from the Da Deppos in any State he likes at any time when this law is brought into it, and he will have the advantage of - - -
Ms Follett: I rise on a point of order, Mr Speaker. I think that the speaker has made an imputation about the
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .