Page 4671 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 31 October 2017
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recreational boats travelling at speeds of less than 10 knots licensing is not required. The introduction of a more streamlined licensing and approval regime will reduce red tape and remove regulatory barriers for people wanting to enjoy the territory’s lakes. This will promote and facilitate greater use of this valuable resource for the benefit of all the community.
With increased use of our waterways comes the increased risk of conflicts, and the proposed amendments will introduce contemporary safety legislation to protect all users of our lakes, ensuring that our community can enjoy our waterways in the knowledge that appropriate safety measures are in place.
Debate (on motion by Ms Lee) adjourned to the next sitting.
Crimes (Police Powers and Firearms Offence) Amendment Bill 2017
Mr Ramsay, pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.
Title read by Clerk.
MR RAMSAY (Ginninderra—Attorney-General, Minister for Regulatory Services, Minister for the Arts and Community Events and Minister for Veterans and Seniors) (12.15): I move:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
Today I present the Crimes (Police Powers and Firearms Offence) Amendment Bill 2017. The bill introduces a specific offence which will expressly prohibit drive-by shootings, and introduces statutory crime scene powers.
The ACT government is strongly committed to responding to the criminal activities of serious organised crime groups, including outlaw motorcycle gangs. Our response to organised criminal activity must be effective. The government is actively engaged with the Chief Police Officer on practical, legislative and operational measures which will address serious and organised crime. Today’s bill is the product of consultation with ACT Policing. It delivers better tools to investigate crimes and enforce the law, and it does so in a way that is compliant with human rights.
Earlier this year, an investigation into a drive-by shooting showed that crime scene powers, which give police the ability to preserve evidence, would be beneficial to targeting organised crime in the territory. The government also looked at the laws which criminalise drive-by shootings and concluded that a change was needed. Current offences in the ACT address the severity of shooting at a person but not necessarily the serious risk that comes with shooting at a building or home.
For example, an act of endangering life under the Crimes Act 1900 requires the offender to discharge a loaded firearm at another person so as to cause another person reasonable apprehension for his or her safety. The maximum penalty for this crime is
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