Page 4796 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 1 November 2017

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Mr Coe tried to use a straw man argument by bringing up suicide. I know I can confidently speak for all members in this place in saying that we take suicide prevention seriously. But, given his specific comments on it, I need to reiterate something that he clearly missed in my speech. There are people right across Australia who are terminally ill, who are already suffering unbearably, and their families are suffering by watching them and being with them. And “unbearably” means that in some cases for these people their pain is so great that they are taking their own lives. This is a tragedy. They are doing so often without their loved ones around them, to ensure that their loved ones are not incriminated.

Let me say this again. People who are already suffering unbearably are taking their own lives alone. They feel they have no other option. Some are secretly hoarding medication and sending their family members away, not telling them of their intentions. Consider that scenario for a moment. Consider the flow-on effects for their loved ones.

The heart of this motion is about restoring territory rights and the rights of Canberrans. But if Mr Coe wants to use this place to bring up morals, I suggest he listen to the stories of so many, including so many ACT citizens—so many stories that should not have happened and that should not have had to happen—and that he adjust his moral compass. I commend this motion to the Assembly.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

ACT Policing—funding

MRS JONES (Murrumbidgee) (12.10): I move:

That this Assembly:

(1) notes:

(a) that, between 2015-16 and 2016-17, demand for ACT police services has exceeded the rate of population growth, including:

(i) calls requiring policing services increased by 16.7 percent;

(ii) offences reported against the person increased 14.8 percent;

(iii) robbery increased 53.3 percent, including a 27.4 percent rise in armed robbery and a 96.5 percent rise in unarmed robbery;

(iv) motor vehicle theft increased 25.7 percent;

(v) arson increased 12.4 percent; and

(vi) drug driving offences increased 161.8 percent;

(b) the ACT Government has struggled to address the scourge of Outlaw Motorcycle Gang violence, which includes shootings, assaults and vandalism in Farrer, Fisher, Isaacs, Isabella Plains, Kambah and Waramanga;


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