Page 457 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 15 February 2017
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is something that the opposition has been talking about for a long time, including in the Assembly in 2012 when many of us were here talking about it.
As Bill Shorten said:
At every level of government, we need to get better at identifying the warning signs and using every measure to keep people safe.
A review of our bail laws would be one such measure. There are calls for us to do that. And that is what we are doing here today as the opposition.
We will use every measure to keep people safe and if the government today reject our calls and say, “No, there are no problems with our bail laws. We have got everything under control. We are satisfied with what is happening,” then they are ignoring the DPP, they are ignoring those on the front line, they are ignoring the recommendations of a committee of this place and I think they are ignoring the warning signs.
I hate to think that we will be back in this place—in six months time, six years time, whenever it may be—doing something following a tragic incident when some crime has been committed by someone on bail that could otherwise have been prevented. If that is the case then we can reflect well on today and see what action we took as an Assembly to keep the people of the ACT safe.
MR RAMSAY (Ginninderra—Attorney-General, Minister for Regulatory Services, Minister for the Arts and Community Events and Minister for Veterans and Seniors) (11.42): I thank Mr Hanson for moving this motion today. The ACT government always welcomes ongoing discussion in relation to the operation of bail laws in the territory. In fact, as I will develop, we are continually having discussion and acting on bail laws in the territory. However, the government will not be supporting the motion. Instead, I move the amendment that is being circulated in my name.
The ACT Labor government has been proactive in monitoring developments in relation to bail in the ACT—
Mr Hanson: I seek a point of clarification, on a point of order, Mr Assistant Speaker. Has the motion been moved? There is nothing circulated. There is no amendment before us that I have seen.
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Mr Steel): Can we stop the clock.
Mr Hanson: Is the amendment being moved? He just said, “I move the amendment.” Is he indicating that movement? Is it being moved? Can we have a clarification?
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Hanson. Do you want to circulate the amendment?
MR RAMSAY: Yes. My understanding is that the Clerk has it.
Mr Hanson: Apparently not.
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