Page 960 - Week 03 - Thursday, 28 February 2013
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MR CORBELL: The government has made the issue a priority, and it made the issue a priority well before you were elected to this place, Mr Wall. We will continue to do so. If your constituents have any particular concerns on any particular incidents, my message is always to encourage them to contact ACT Policing. ACT Policing will respond as they deem appropriate in accordance with their priority response model. But importantly, even if they believe that a response is not warranted, that is, because the event has already occurred some time ago and there is no further evidence that can be ascertained at that time, they will retain those intelligence holdings to help build a better picture of where there is a pattern of complaints. If there is a pattern of complaints about certain types of behaviour, that assists our police in targeting their resources to where those complaints are and undertaking the operations they need to undertake to try and address that behaviour. So always the message has to be to residents: please report the matter to police so that the police can build a better picture of what is going on and respond to it accordingly.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, are driving behaviour courses currently offered to serial dangerous drivers?
MR CORBELL: I would have to check the exact range of courses that are available to the courts in relation to serious driving offences but I know that the courts do have the option to order remedial or, if you like, behavioural change courses as part of any sentence. Whether there is a specific package around driving is a matter I would take on notice.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, have any other preventative or penalty measures been considered to address this serious and growing problem?
MR CORBELL: I do not accept the premise of the second part of your question, that it is a growing problem. I have not seen any evidence to suggest that it is a growing problem. But it is, I acknowledge, from time to time a problem for some parts of the city and for some residents. The government and the police always take that very seriously.
We believe that we have an appropriate range of measures in place. There are very significant fines and provisions for seizure of vehicles that can be implemented for people who are caught with that sort of behaviour. There are also other penalties such as suspension or loss of licence. These are very significant penalties, and I am satisfied with the current penalty range.
Canberra—centenary
MS PORTER: Madam Speaker, my question through you is to the Chief Minister. Chief Minister, can you give Canberrans reason to stay in town and forego their trip to the coast this coming Canberra Day long weekend and spend time enjoying our one great big party?
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