Page 604 - Week 02 - Thursday, 16 February 2017
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using representative consultation to give Canberra world-class, well-designed, architecturally important places to work and to play.
The new suburban development agency will focus on greenfield developments and affordable housing. Its aim will be to deliver new suburbs in a more efficient way and to give Canberrans housing choice.
Crime—motorcycle gangs
MRS JONES: My question is to the Attorney-General. Attorney, I quote from an interstate news report of 16 January this year which states:
… NSW Police sources have revealed their exasperation at how the ACT situation is hampering their battle against the bikie menace. “A lot of clubhouses have been closed down and bikies are no longer roaming in packs in NSW but it’s frustrating that they can still operate freely in Canberra,” a senior NSW officer said. “It means they can have their state and national meetings and plan their criminal activities with less fear of being arrested.”
Attorney, does the government maintain that current laws are adequate when there are reports of exasperated New South Wales police officers being hampered by our lack of laws?
MR RAMSAY: The ACT government is always looking at ways of being able to ensure the enforcement of laws and the safety of the community. I refer again to my previous answer—
Mrs Jones: Which was not an answer at all.
MR RAMSAY: I refer to my previous answer, which listed a number of ways that we are already working to increase security, and the operation of Taskforce Nemesis. We will continue to look at things. We are looking at matters such as anti-fortification laws and we are looking at a number of enforcement measures that are already available under existing laws. We do not operate on the basis of responses primarily through the New South Wales media. We are an evidence-based government and we will continue to base our decisions on evidence, not anecdote.
MRS JONES: Attorney, what plans does the government have prepared to stop state and national meetings of bikie gangs in Canberra that are illegal in New South Wales, like the one occurring at my local shops two weeks ago on Saturday?
MR RAMSAY: It is good to be able to keep reinforcing the good work of Taskforce Nemesis and the increasing—
Mrs Jones interjecting—
MR RAMSAY: And the work that is being undertaken: the issuing of search warrants, the work that we are doing on anti-fortification laws and a range of other enforcement means, including matters in relation to traffic, in relation to—
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