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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 1 Hansard (8 December) . . Page.. 4011 ..

Mr Berry: That is right, yes.

MR HUMPHRIES: No-one else administers these laws in this respect except the Federal Police. Nobody else.

Mr Berry: It is a statement of fact. It is not an attack.

MR HUMPHRIES: Okay, this is a statement of fact: The fact that the present laws are not used to apprehend more people is because those who administer the laws do not do so effectively.

Mr Berry: Yes, and the resources they are provided by government.

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Berry can explain all he wants, but he is on the record as saying that there is some inadequacy in the approach of the Federal Police. I do not believe that for one instant. I think the inadequacy is in the status of the law. The officers on the streets of Canberra who deal with this problem, the same problem that you people write to me and complain about, have not got the adequate laws they need to be able to address that problem.

I think what Mr Rugendyke has put forward is a viable solution. Why do I say that? Because it is modelled on the laws in use in New South Wales where there has been a very effective response to this problem. Yes, Mr Speaker, I think the seizure of these vehicles, which are the object of much attention and much affection on the part of the people who drive them, is an effective way of deterring people from that kind of behaviour. In fact, it is the most appropriate way to send that message.

I think it is not a matter of opinion as to whether it is effective. Clearly, what is happening in New South Wales demonstrates that it is effective in addressing this problem. There has been a significant improvement in the measure of the problem in New South Wales because of the application of these sorts of laws. I think we should try them in the ACT. I support their use in this Territory. I think those opposite who are concerned about not infringing the rights of people in these circumstances simply overstate the case when they say that there are serious rights at stake here. I think the more important issue here is addressing the concerns that people in this place have heard, no doubt dozens of times from people in this city, about burnouts in the streets of Canberra at hours of the night and day which pose considerable inconvenience to the rest of the citizens in this place. I think it is time that we acted on it and I therefore support the provisions in this legislation.

MR QUINLAN (4.09): Mr Speaker, I will not take that long. I think members of this place are to be congratulated for the genteel approach to this debate thus far. It has been reasonably logical and methodical. I have to say that slices of this legislation are nothing more than a grandstanding, attention-seeking, breast beating exercise.

Mr Humphries: Breast feeding?

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