Page 4042 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 24 October 1990
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Here is an incident of domestic violence, Mr Speaker. On 24 March 1990, at 5.20 am, at Fitchett Street, Garran, the power was used to prevent possible domestic violence. The report states:
Police attended in relation to a disturbance call ... they saw two females standing in the front yard of the premises, and a male standing on the nature strip. The male was using threatening and intimidating language to the females. The two females informed police that the male had originally come to their front door and had only left the property when told that police had been contacted. Police advised the male to go home and attempt contact at a more reasonable hour. He declined to accept this advice and made further intimidating statements to the females. He was then directed to move-on but refused to comply with this direction. He was arrested. This person has been found guilty of this offence in the ACT Magistrates Court and a fine was imposed as the penalty.
That was a domestic violence situation, Mr Speaker.
Mr Berry: Why did the move-on powers work there?
MR STEFANIAK: Because he moved on, Mr Berry, without the police having to take any further action, saving him, the ladies, the police and the courts a lot of trouble.
We have more recent reports from the August 1990 review. On 6 April 1990 in Canberra City three males were involved in a fight. They all complied with the direction to move on. Another incident involved skateboard riders intimidating other members of the public. That was on 6 April 1990.
Mr Berry: They need to be locked up!
MR STEFANIAK: Sometimes they do, Mr Berry. At 7.55 pm in Canberra City four skateboard riders were using intimidating language and actions towards other persons using the area. They were spoken to and complied with a direction to move on. Skateboard riders usually are young people. That saved them having to go to court for something more substantive.
Mr Berry: That is enough to indict them for a start, in your book, Bill.
MR STEFANIAK: Mr Berry, only 12 people have been arrested and gone to court as a result of this. That means that only 12 possible fines or penalties could be imposed.
Mr Berry: Can you run the figures past us again? How many people were moved on? What was the arrest rate?
MR STEFANIAK: Twelve people, Mr Berry.
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