Page 2780 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 14 August 1991
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We then went up to the other end of Belconnen with the police. It was midwinter and a fellow was standing out there with nothing on but a pair of trousers. He was asked why he was standing there; did he not fear getting a cold, pneumonia, et cetera. He said, "Somebody ripped my shirt off. Me and my mates are waiting for him to come out and we're going to beat him up". He had already lost one fight and he was about to get another beating. He did not have the sense to move on. The police asked him to move on and in fact they drove him home.
The situation is that we are protecting our young people by this move-on power. I applaud the police. I hope they move my young fellow on and at the same time, if he is misbehaving, give him a toe in the backside. I need that support from the police. Young people at this time are really put in a position where there is too much alcohol available and they do misbehave. We all have done it. Mr Berry and others who laugh at this situation are probably the few in our community who are pure, but the rest of us have had normal lives. We all had to be put in our place by our elders, who should be shown some respect. In this day and age there is very little of that. I think that these move-on powers are essential. Mr Duby, again I put it to you that 2,000 is a very small number of people.
MS MAHER (12.17): I rise very reluctantly, following the information we have been given in the last 24 hours; but I will be supporting the amendment and the Bill. I believe that it provides safety for the community and, in a lot of instances, prevents people from being arrested on more serious charges. It disperses people from situations that could become more dangerous.
When I spoke on the Bill in August 1989 I was very concerned about the abuse and wrongful use of the powers, and I think that has come to light today. I think Mr Collaery's sunset clause, the amendment, is even more important now than it was then in keeping an eye on abuse and wrongful use of the powers. I also think it is important that the six-monthly report that the police have been giving be continued. I will not speak for any longer, because I am very much aware of the time; but I will be supporting the legislation.
MR CONNOLLY (Attorney-General, Minister for Housing and Community Services and Minister for Urban Services) (12.18): I am speaking just briefly to indicate that the Labor Party is not, of course, supporting the amendment and favours the defeat of this Bill. I can reassure Ms Maher that I certainly will continue to direct the police to provide six-monthly statistics on this.
The Labor Party's view remains essentially what was quite well stated this morning by Mr Duby - that a law that has had 2,000 people in unnecessary conflict with the police is not a good law. To the extent that we had concerns about the law and its application before this debate, they have
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