Page 716 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 1 April 2008
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I heard the minister on the radio this morning saying that violence could often lead to assault charges and was, therefore, not appropriate for the issuing of on-the-spot fines. I would contend that, just as often, isolated incidents of violence do not, in fact, lead to assault charges, and, indeed, might not warrant them at all. Therefore, there is a void that could be filled by having the opportunity for police to issue on-the-spot fines. I recall the last time this issue hit the headlines; it was in about February over a scuffle in Manuka that was reported differently between being some kind of an altercation between two people to a near riot. I suspect the former is more accurately the case. That started a whole round of debate and media excitement about violence. If it was, as appeared to be the case, an altercation between two individuals—it would seem that on-the-spot fines would have been a remedy, unless there was serious injury to either party. I do not think anyone has been charged over that particular event. I have not heard any mention of it. The minister may clarify that. But I suspect that many such instances occur where the on-the-spot fine option is sensible and is available and could readily assist in deterring offenders from repeat behaviour of that nature.
Listening to the debate which has occurred in the Assembly already this year, it is clear that most if not all members of this place and the community is of one mind on this issue. Certainly, the experience in other jurisdictions, some of which Mr Stefaniak touched on in his presentation of his bill, is positive. I stress again, as I have always done in the past, I do not believe there is, in fact, a crisis or a wave of violence spreading across the city. We really have ourselves on compared to other places in the world if we think that Canberra is collapsing under a wave of violence and antisocial behaviour. But, one must acknowledge that there is an element out there that causes trouble, and if we can make the task of the police somewhat easier in apprehending those by the use of the on-the-spot fine weapon, I think that is a good thing. Repeat offenders will obviously become more evident on police databases if they have this method of identifying and finding those who are responsible for this sort of conduct.
I do not, of course, believe that Canberra is a particularly violent or dangerous place, but I do accept the point that the public perception of danger is also important. It is worth noting that knee jerk press statements like the one that we saw from Mr Smyth calling for mounted police and dogs to be deployed are not likely to do anything other than fuel this perception. Members of the Legislative Assembly have a responsibility not to fuel incidents for the sake of getting a bit of free media air time. I know that the vast majority of us are aware of this responsibility, but I would use this opportunity to flag with some of my parliamentary colleagues that they need to be guided by their duty at all times and to exercise some restraint rather than simply leaping in on occasion and fuelling the fires.
The people of Canberra have a right to both be safe in public and, just as importantly, to feel safe. The police and licence holders in the ACT do, in the main, a pretty good job. I understand, for example, that alcohol-fuelled incidents are, in fact, trending downwards. It is unfortunate, therefore, when perceptions are distorted and fear is fuelled by reporting of politically motivated comments. There have been violent incidents in Canberra nightspots over several months. Unfortunately, there will continue to be instances in the future. Some communities are more prone than others, and at some times of the year we seem to see a greater number of incidents reported.
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