Page 1313 - Week 07 - Thursday, 24 August 1989
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borderline issue, perhaps an arrest should not be made, but if the police have a concern, there may be occasions when an arrest is made. There is a better option. A better option is to tell someone to move on; that is of lesser degree than arresting someone. If there is a problem the courts can handle that. People have the right obviously in our society to bring up any concerns they have, if arrested, in the court, and have that matter fairly treated.
People have been mostly concerned about this Bill in its potential for being used politically. The exemptions under the Bill absolutely make that not a problem. It was indeed one of my concerns, because I know that we are all concerned about these things being used politically. We do not want that to happen.
Let us have a look at why Bill Stefaniak introduced the Bill. I have not the slightest doubt that Bill is concerned about the welfare, the safety and security of the people of Canberra. He has experience in this that a lot of people do not have. He was a prosecutor; he understands both sides of this matter. Let us have a look at the police in this matter. The police in Canberra do not want this power for personal gain, and I abhor any suggestion that that is the case. Canberrans are privileged to have a group of what I consider to be the best police that I have come across; and, as a policeman for eight years, I feel I am qualified to speak on the matter. I think we are in a very fortunate position.
The police concern, and I have spoken to many of them, is that they are able to protect the public. If they were not concerned about these things, they would avoid the issue, go nowhere near problems. But they are prepared to go, and on the public behalf put themselves, in many cases, at risk. They need our support. Most importantly, we are looking at this matter on behalf of the citizens of Canberra. They need the freedom to go about their business without being restricted by other people who would impose on that freedom. There should be no harassment of people; there should be no intimidation of people. And I have not the slightest doubt that the powers in this Bill will be safeguarded by the police in the ACT, as will the citizens in going about their business. I commend the Bill to this Assembly.
MR COLLAERY (11.08): Mr Speaker, this Bill was a watershed in the Residents Rally's relationship with the Labor Party, and I will come to that in a moment. The Bill originally presented is not what we have before us. I trust that in conveying news that this Bill is to be passed shortly, the ALP will circulate the Chief Minister's speech, because it was, to my knowledge, the first considered, reasoned statement on this issue to date, and I think my colleagues will agree with me. It was very welcome to hear the Chief Minister's endorsement of the issue, and I trust that this heralds a shift away from rhetoric and to factual discourse.
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