Page 884 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 25 July 1989
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Since that date, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Federal Police Association have been very keen to get these powers back. There have been several reports, including one to the Federal Parliament last year - I think to Senator Tate's office - which members of the Assembly had as a result of some issues I brought up in the consultative committee stage in late April. Members are probably aware that, in the last series of papers Mr Holding gave us prior to the Assembly being sworn in, that discussion paper was there.
As a private members Bill, I introduced on 28 June 1989 to this Assembly the Police Offences (Amendment) Bill 1989. This Bill put before the house a provision enabling the police to move on persons effectively loitering in a public place in certain specific circumstances.
The following Wednesday, a select committee was set up to inquire into and report on this Bill. That inquiry was to invite submissions relating to the Bill itself and also to public behaviour. The Bill was formally referred to the select committee on the same day and that committee was required to report today.
The committee also circulated amendments proposed by me to all interested persons in relation to the initial Bill proposed on 28 June. Those amendments effectively inserted a subsection (3) which excluded demonstrations, pickets and certain other activities from the legislation, together with one further suggested amendment.
An inquiry was commenced. A large number of submissions were received, both from private individuals and from groups and organisations. There were two days of public hearings last Tuesday and Thursday. The committee examined some 23 witnesses representing a number of organisations and individuals.
The committee also went out last Friday with the Australian Federal Police. It was a very cold night and the committee members had the benefit of talking to the police sergeant, an experienced officer in this area, who took us around, and observing what occurred at the police station. However, it was a fairly quiet night; there were not many people about and I do not think we got quite the action you saw, Mr Speaker, when you went out.
The committee, after hearing submissions and considering a large number of written submissions - the last one of which was received yesterday - came up with this report. A number of points were looked at by the committee.
First, as the proponent, I stated that the Bill was introduced as a private members Bill in response to concerns expressed by large sections of the Canberra community regarding public safety and the increasing level of street crime. The powers of the Australian Federal
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