Page 891 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 25 July 1989
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
to this. I would like to have access to those guidelines before I am required to vote on this Bill.
In addition, I would like to see an extension of police education programs in schools, especially in high schools and colleges. It was also suggested that police officers receive training from youth workers and be given training placements within appropriate community agencies. This should go some way to improving the already strained relationship between young people and the police.
That brings me to the South Australian cautionary diversion program. Mr Nathan Stirling, as part of his submission, submitted operational policy and procedures for the South Australian pilot project, cautionary diversion program. This same program received favourable mention in other verbal and written submissions. Supposedly, one of the underlying reasons for introducing this Bill is to reduce the increasing number of young people appearing before our courts. This is what the South Australian program is about. The committee recommends that the program should be investigated and, if found appropriate, should be implemented as soon as possible.
The Chief Minister, in her letter to the committee on 19 July 1989, stated that her Government would support the opening of additional youth centres such as the one in Woden, would examine measures to deal with homelessness, and would investigate training and employment opportunities for young people. I believe that the implementation of the South Australian program deserves just as much support as these other worthwhile initiatives. The program should be established as a joint venture by the police, community services and other related groups. Regional offices should be set up in close proximity to police stations or in already established youth centres.
In conclusion, I would like to say that all the written and verbal submissions both for and against the Bill have demonstrated many genuine concerns within the community. But I truly believe that the answer is much more complex than just passing the Police Offences (Amendment) Bill 1989.
This Assembly and the community at large need to have a good, hard look at the recommendations of this committee. I believe that these recommendations should be implemented immediately, regardless of the outcome of Mr Stefaniak's proposed legislation. I would also like to take this opportunity to personally thank the committee's hardworking secretary, Ms Karin Malmberg, who has been most efficient and supportive throughout the inquiry.
MR COLLAERY (8.27): I would like to begin by saying that the committee contains two lawyers. I have opposed Mr Stefaniak on occasion in the local courts, he as crown prosecutor and I as lawyer for the defendant. I would also like to say that that is reflected in tonight's
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .