Page 52 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 12 February 2019
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
MR RAMSAY: I thank the shadow attorney-general for his question. With the indulgence of the shadow attorney-general, may I note quickly in passing that we have received notice today of the passing of Justice Jeffrey Miles, a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the ACT. I want to place on record at this stage our condolences. There will be a time for further mention of that, but that news has just come through today.
Of course it is important to note the context of quotes. The shadow attorney-general is following the tradition of the Canberra Liberals in selectively quoting matters. In terms of the Chief Police Officer’s comments, it is important to note the full statement of the Chief Police Officer in giving context to what the shadow attorney-general has said. The Chief Police Officer said that ACT Policing supports nationally consistent legislation to deal with the national issue of serious and organised crime and will continue discussions with government to explore appropriate powers to prevent, deter and prosecute organised crime which are proportionate and meet the community’s expectations. He went on:
However, it is important to note that no single power should be seen as a cure-all and serious and organised crime is not limited to openly identifiable criminal gangs, such as outlaw motorcycle gangs … ACT Policing will continue to proactively target, prosecute and disrupt those involved in serious and organised crime in the ACT, regardless of their individual affiliations.
I note, for the information of those opposite, that there remain in the ACT, according to the advice that we have received from police, four active outlaw motorcycle gangs. Can I put on record my—(Time expired.)
Mrs Jones: Point of order, Madam Speaker—
MADAM SPEAKER: There is a point of order but I think the time has expired.
Mrs Jones: Yes, but this is just to get your advice, just for information. I did not want to interrupt the actual answer while it was going on. With condolences, normally there is a place in the day for those. I wonder whether it is the appropriate use of a minister’s time to be offering condolences in the middle of an answer to a question on bikie crime, which may also reflect on that person’s life and work.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mrs Jones, it was not a condolence. You are right: there is a time and place where proper attention is paid to formal condolence motions. It was my understanding, and my read from the Attorney-General, that he had just heard that news a relatively short time ago and that he just wanted to put it on record. It was his call. I do not think it breaches any order. I do not think it is a reflection on anyone who was mentioned in that answer.
MR HANSON: Attorney, what information can you give the Assembly about the most recent shooting and arson attack in Kambah, where shots were fired into a home that had children inside?
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video