Page 3225 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 23 August 2017
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Ms Fitzharris: I wish to raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The opposition has interjected on almost a dozen occasions during Mr Gentleman’s reply.
MADAM SPEAKER: I remind members opposite that it is question time and we all accept that there is a bit of cut and thrust and theatre but constant interjections are tedious at least. Minister, do you have anything else to add?
MR GENTLEMAN: Thank you, Madam Speaker. The government is of course committed to responding to the criminal activities of OMCGs. That is why we are working with ACT police on other possible laws that could be implemented that would assist them on the ground. They have said to us that they would like to see these in place to assist them with their toolkit against outlaw motorcycle gangs.
MRS KIKKERT: Minister, what evidence can you produce that your laws will work more effectively that the anti-consorting laws?
MR GENTLEMAN: The evidence lies in the request from ACT Policing for these particular powers. They are in relation to firearms prohibition orders and crime scene powers as well. If the AFP and ACT Policing have requested this sort of assistance and we can provide it, without of course breaching our human rights obligations to citizens, then we will work down that track.
MR HANSON: Minister, why have you ignored the Chief Police Officer’s public calls for anti-consorting laws? Is she wrong and, if so, what evidence have you got to present that she is wrong?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Mr Hanson for his interest in this area. I can say, of course, that I do not agree with the premise of his question. We are working with ACT Policing, as I have said, and the Chief Police Officer with the appropriate tools. We have invested strongly in Task Force Nemesis. It is working well. There have been a number of arrests. There has been the incarceration of outlaw motorcycle gang members. There has been the impounding of prohibited firearms, drugs et cetera. This all shows that the support that we are giving ACT Policing is working on the ground.
LGBTIQ community—government support
MS LE COUTEUR: My question is to the Chief Minister and relates to the ACT government’s commitment to support the ACT’s LGBTIQ community during the period of the non-binding voluntary postal survey. Minister, can you provide financial details on the extent of government funding and in-kind support for promotional materials supporting marriage equality and the provision of counselling support, and relationship and advice services, to meet the increased demand expected in this period.
MR BARR: I thank Ms Le Couteur for the question. Yes, I am happy to provide the Assembly with details. The ACT government, through our office of LGBTIQ affairs, which was established as part of a suite of measures contained in this year’s budget,
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