Page 5061 - Week 17 - Wednesday, 12 December 1990
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told by police officers, but I do recall the move-on powers being used at least once during the Summernats last year. That was thanks to this Government and no thanks to the Opposition, which seeks to have those very useful crime preventive tools removed from the rather limited arsenal the police have to combat crime in Canberra. Due to the actions of this Government, the attempt by the Labor Party to knock those essential powers out was defeated, and they will again be available to the police to be used at Natex should the need arise.
Mr Berry: Were they used there last time?
MR STEFANIAK: My understanding, Mr Berry, is yes, they were. I cannot tell you off the top of my head whether that was from a document which is before the Assembly or from some other source, but certainly I recall seeing something or being told that they were used, and no doubt if need be they will be used again. Indeed, it is amazing to see the Opposition cry about problems that occur at Natex when it has an absolute paranoia about giving the police any additional powers that the police reasonably need to do their job properly.
Mr Berry: Rubbish!
MR STEFANIAK: That is not rubbish, Mr Berry; that is because of your stupid left wing hang-up which you have in the Labor Party and which you have had for a number of years. Wake up to yourselves, realise that there is a problem and realise that maybe the police do need some additional powers to do their job properly, because you are really blowing into a gale, into the wind, by having a great whinge.
Mr Berry: They did not use the move-on powers. They could not be bothered arresting people.
MR STEFANIAK: Mr Berry, on that Saturday night I was there I saw about 60 people who had been arrested for various offences, so it is hardly a case of the police not being prepared to arrest people. The police there did an excellent job.
Mr Wood: There you are; they had the powers. They used the powers. That is all they need to do.
MR STEFANIAK: They used a number of powers, Mr Wood. If you lot had your way, you would be reducing police powers even further. You made a great attempt to knock out the move-on powers, did you not?
MR SPEAKER: Order! Relevance please, Mr Stefaniak.
MR STEFANIAK: I think it is highly relevant, Mr Speaker. So, what a bunch of hypocrites you are, really. Wake up to yourselves.
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