Page 1100 - Week 04 - Thursday, 21 May 2020
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MRS JONES (Murrumbidgee) (3.47): I am pleased to see that this frontline assaults bill is finally being debated in the Assembly. The Canberra Liberals have been pushing for these sorts of laws for a decade. Over these many years, Labor and the Greens have rejected our calls time and again. Mr Hanson first brought such a bill here in 2011, and for that I thank him. I began drafting my version of these laws, which was presented late last year, while I was on maternity leave with my child who turns two tomorrow, so even the last push has been going on for a little while.
It was not until it became apparent that we were going to do this that the government also brought forward its comprehensive frontline assault bill. Labor and the Greens are certainly late to the party, but it is welcome to see them finally arrive. As with an overdue baby, there is relief all round that the big day is finally here.
These much-needed reforms, along with my amendments, will provide police officers, paramedics, firefighters and corrections officers with additional protection from assaults. The bill also creates new laws specifically targeted at driving at a police officer or a police vehicle, something we have unfortunately seen increase over the last few years.
Some acts of violence are worse than others. Violence towards police, paramedics, firies and prison guards deserves separate and more severe treatment because of the work that they do. This is why I will be moving my amendment to increase the maximum penalty from two years for assaulting one of these personnel to five years. Keeping it at two years makes it no different from common assault in the punishments available to the courts.
Police, paramedics, firefighters and prison guards are some of the best and bravest people in our community. They work selflessly and tirelessly for us on the front lines, and they are exposed to risks far greater than what is expected of you and me. They go to work and walk into danger every single day, and they do so for us. These hardworking men and women in uniform deserve to be fully backed up by their politicians in the work that they undertake on behalf of and in service of our whole community. That is what my amendments achieve.
To the men and women on the front line, I say that I back you up 100 per cent. The Canberra Liberals back you up 100 per cent and today, I am pleased to say, the Assembly is working together to ensure that as a parliament we back you up. Thank you.
MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong—Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Minister for Corrections and Justice Health, Minister for Justice, Consumer Affairs and Road Safety and Minister for Mental Health) (3.51): As has been touched on, this bill will amend the Crimes Act 1900. The primary purpose of the bill is to ensure that the special occupational vulnerability of our police officers, firefighters, paramedics and correctional officers, as providers of important emergency and frontline services, is appropriately recognised through ACT criminal law.
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