Page 478 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 28 June 1989
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members of the Assembly may not have had great experience in this area. Even the Chief Minister, and maybe other opponents, might have their eyes opened if they went for a ride with the police hoodlum patrol around Canberra's night spots, especially around 2.00 am to 3.00 am on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday morning. I am sure the police would be delighted to oblige the Chief Minister if she would like to do that.
Perhaps she would also like to contact the Ombudsman's office, because not long ago the Ombudsman sent a member of staff around with the hoodlum patrol, and he found out a lot of very interesting things. I am not too sure whether it was a male or female member of staff. It may well have been a female member of staff. That officer found out a number of interesting things and indeed could perhaps fill in the Chief Minister on the need for these powers.
Mr Speaker, when the Territory's police and the citizens of the Territory have been screaming for an increase in certain powers for several years, it behoves a responsible government to listen and to act. When a citizen, a private individual - Denis Meagher, a bus driver - organised a petition in October 1987 calling for an increase in police powers to counter the very things I have been talking about and obtained 9,000 signatures and presented that to the then Federal Parliament, it behoves a responsible government, and indeed it behoves this Assembly, to act. Those of you who would oppose this Bill may well have the blood of many Canberra citizens on your hands. I commend the Bill.
Debate (on motion by Ms Follett) adjourned.
SELF-GOVERNMENT - SELECT COMMITTEE
MR DUBY (12.16): I move:
That:
(1) A select committee be appointed to inquire into the report on -
(a) a financial agreement between the ACT and the Commonwealth Government as a result of self-government for the Territory;
(b) the form of government most appropriate in the ACT taking into account responsibilities of State, Territory and municipal governments;
(c) the method and practice of the first ACT election with particular regard to the electoral system and the election process with a view to recommending changes which might improve the process and expedite the count; and
(d) the reserve powers retained by the Commonwealth under the ACT self-government legislation particularly with respect to:
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