Page 3438 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 13 October 1993
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In effect the commission is saying that it is difficult for courts to make real decisions about prevalence. If a particular type of offence is seen by the community to be increasing in prevalence, if there is a perception that a particular crime is getting out of control, the appropriate course may be for the Assembly to increase the penalty. It is difficult often to tell whether a particular crime is increasing or decreasing. The recent agitation about armed robbery would indicate that.
Speaking of armed robbery, there is a point that I do want to get off my chest, and it is one that I think the Opposition would endorse. It is a criticism of the Canberra media. There was an offence yesterday which was widely reported, and it was widely reported as a daring robbery. Madam Speaker, I do not think there is anything daring about taking a revolver and shoving it in the face of a young bank officer who is unarmed and defenceless.
Mrs Carnell: Then showing pictures of it.
MR CONNOLLY: Indeed. I think it would be helpful if the media would refrain from describing a criminal who walks into a bank and shoves a gun in somebody's face as being daring.
Ms Follett: Cowardly.
MR CONNOLLY: Cowardly, as the Chief Minister mentions, would be a more appropriate description of that type of person. There is perhaps a concern that, if the media describes such offences as daring, people may think that it is a glamorous form of activity to engage in. I can assure you, Mr Humphries, that I will not be blaming the media in relation to any argument about an increase or decrease in armed robberies, but it is something that Canberra's journalists and editors might like to consider when they report these matters.
Madam Speaker, the essential argument that I think we will have on the floor of the Assembly today is about that issue of prevalence. It is an issue on which there are two comparatively finely balanced views. After considering very carefully the arguments, being aware that the Law Society has taken a view that reflects the minority view in the Law Reform Commission report, the Government's view is that the majority Law Reform Commission arguments are sound and that there is a potential danger in taking prevalence into account. Madam Speaker, that apart, I am pleased that there is general support for the principle of the legislation. While it may appear to be a rather complex script as we work our way through the amendments, by and large there seems to be general support for the legislation.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
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