Page 2779 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 14 August 1991
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In addition, as I said, I have received further information that Mr Moore has mentioned in terms of a number of supposed offences or offences which have been committed and for which people have been charged under the move-on law. I received this information, as I said, in the last 24 hours. Frankly, it makes me a little bit concerned about the way that this law is being applied to the general population. I did not have a speech prepared. As a matter of fact, I only came to this position this morning.
Mr Kaine: Do you mean 20 minutes ago?
MR DUBY: Not even 20. I cannot quote chapter and verse. I could come up with what undoubtedly would be a rhetorical masterpiece if I had time to prepare. Nevertheless, given the pros and cons of the position and, of course, also given the realities of what we are going to see here when the vote does come, I say that I, for one, am going to join the Government and oppose the continuation of move-on powers in the ACT.
MR PROWSE (12.13): I was not going to speak on this matter, but I am dismayed to hear Mr Duby's revelation and change of heart. I went out with the police on dawn patrol. I went to a position where the move-on power is being used. I point out to Mr Duby that 2,000 people is nothing. At 2.00 am and 3.00 am when the Labor Club alone closes in Belconnen, up to 2,000 people come out of that club; and they are all fairly well inebriated at that time of night. You can move on 200 or 300 with the wave of a hand.
Mr Berry: David, read the legislation before you launch. Get the brain into gear before you engage the gob.
MR PROWSE: I hear the objection by Mr Berry. I am trying to indicate to Mr Duby that the numbers are extreme. There are large numbers of inebriated people going onto the streets. They are then moving en masse to the other end of Belconnen, where there is an all-night facility. That is where these move-on powers are essential, as I see it.
At one stage while I was outside the Labor Club, out came a fellow with skin off and blood dripping, and he was looking for a fight. He had had a fight earlier. He was looking for another one. I walked up to him and I said, "If you've been beaten up, why aren't you complaining to the police?". He said, "Oh, no; this is good training for the footie tomorrow. I'm going to find that bludger that got me and I'm going to take him on again". That young man was moved on. He was looking for a fight. There were young lasses around with nice clothes on, et cetera, and they applauded the police move to move this fellow on, because they did not want to get tangled up, with arms and legs swinging around, outside that club.
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