Page 413 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 18 February 2020
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Despite the cynicism of some, PBL is an evidence-based approach that is widely adopted and used in schools across Australia and internationally. It facilitates students, teachers and school communities to identify the values and positive behaviours that are expected in their school by teaching, reinforcing and celebrating these values and positive behaviours whenever relevant.
The government is also providing additional outreach support for students in the distance education program. This program supports inclusion for ACT resident school-age students who are prevented from attending school due to a diagnosed health or mental health condition, isolation or special circumstances.
Finally, the government has funded a dedicated officer to collaborate with the office of the eSafety Commissioner and lead engagement with schools, parents and carers in relation to e-safety. In an increasingly digital world it is vital that our schools equip young people and their families with the skills they need to be good digital citizens.
ACT Policing—motorcycle gangs
MS LEE: My question is to the minister for police. Minister, last year the Hells Angels motorcycle headquarters in South Australia was closed and sold off, which was reported as leaving “not a single motorcycle gang left in South Australia with its own headquarters”. South Australia Police Assistant Commissioner (Crime), Scott Duval, said it was “another example of the power of the bikie laws”, that “the number of active bikies in South Australia had fallen since the laws took effect”, and “it really disrupts them”. Minister, have you consulted with South Australia Police on the effectiveness of their laws?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Ms Lee for the question. I can advise that the CPO has discussed different styles of legislation across different jurisdictions in Australia to see which are the most effective. I am very comfortable with the laws that we have introduced in the ACT for bringing motorcycle criminal gang members to task and I am very pleased with the amount of resource that we have provided ACT Policing. As I have said, I think the test for the opposition is that they support that funding as well when they go to vote for the budget next time.
When we have a look at the results from Taskforce Nemesis, with the resources that we have provided for them, ACT Policing over the past year has laid 35 charges against 19 criminal gang members and executed 28 search warrants. Over the past few years Taskforce Nemesis has seized more than 1,480 rounds of ammunition, 20 weapons and two vehicles related to criminal gang activities.
As you can see, Madam Speaker, not only are we resourcing ACT Policing’s Taskforce Nemesis with funding but we are giving them legislative tools as well, as we have through this process. That is working. We are seeing more arrests, more criminal gang members thrown into jail.
MS LEE: Minister, how do you explain your continued refusal to act when bikie gangs are leaving other states to conduct violent attacks here in the ACT?
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