Page 4288 - Week 11 - Thursday, 25 October 2018
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a demonstration of the incredible work that they have done to date and will continue to do into the future as the review progresses.
We know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the answers. It is up to governments to listen to them and recognise the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led solutions. Initiatives in the ACT such as circle sentencing also recognise this important principle.
Self-determination is also the core of any discussion about treaty. The government has said that it is open to the negotiation of a treaty for the ACT. I recently discussed this possibility at a meeting of the United Ngunnawal Elders Council, acknowledging that any treaty process would require the engagement of traditional custodians and that they be comfortable with, and indeed lead, the process.
I will continue my conversations with the community regarding a treaty for the ACT and will continue to follow closely the progress of treaty processes in Victoria and the Northern Territory but, unfortunately, no longer in South Australia. Most importantly, we have started this conversation and we in the ACT government have made a strong commitment to self-determination for the ACT’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Crime—motorcycle gangs
MR HANSON: My question is to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Minister, I refer to a motorcycle ride in the ACT on Saturday, 25 August by the Nomads outlaw motorcycle club. It was led by convicted killer Mouhammed “Moudi” Tajjour. Have the New South Wales minister for police or other senior figures from NSW Police raised concerns with you or with ACT Policing about this event?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Mr Hanson for his question and his return to his interest in justice and safety in the ACT. I will be meeting with police ministers tomorrow. No doubt, we will be discussing some of these instances. Of course, I will reiterate that Canberra is a safe place but we are not immune from criminal gang activity. We see, of course, criminal gangs riding into the ACT every now and again.
We also see them riding into other cities. In fact, most recently we had them ride into Melbourne. It was a very large contingent of outlaw motorcycle gangs. We are told, of course, that the Victorian legislation is much stronger than what we have in the ACT. But even with that, we saw 600 outlaw motorcycle gang members ride into Melbourne. So as I said earlier on—
Mr Hanson: Madam Speaker, I raise a point of order.
MADAM SPEAKER: Resume your seat, please, minister. Stop the clock.
Mr Hanson: The question I asked was whether there had been any contact between NSW Police and ACT Policing or the minister. He has not directly answered that. He is talking about the fact that he is meeting tomorrow. But my question is: have there been any concerns raised by NSW Police with ACT Policing or with him?
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