Debates Day 2 - Wednesday 17 May 1995
Parliamentary Record 10
Debates for 7th Assembly 1994 - 1997; ParliamentNT; Parliamentary Record; 7th Assembly 1994 - 1997
1995-05-17
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Debates
Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
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DEBATES - Wednesday 17 May 1995 and to allow confiscated liquor or alcohol to be destroyed. It would not be only those 2 men in the Toyota who would be involved in that confiscation. There would be extra powers for the police. I support that change because I have heard the views of many of the dedicated men and women in our police force who have enforced the current legislation. They see constraints on the extent to which that legislation permits them to be effective. The Minister for Health and Community Services mentioned that these proposals are innovative and have not been trialed anywhere in Australia. If people in the rest of the country have the same attitude as the opposition in this Assembly, that is no wonder. However, we certainly make no apologies for setting the pace of change. I support the tireless work of officers of the force in attempting to combat antisocial behaviour in the public arena. Contrary to the ravings of members opposite, local police strategies in Alice Springs have impacted already on the level of antisocial behaviour. Police have initiated increased foot patrols in the mall and the CBD area, and they have carried out ongoing liaison with the Tangentyere Council, the night patrol and other organisations. The active recruitment of further police for both the southern and northern regions over the past 15 months also has impacted on the level of antisocial behaviour. As we are well aware, there are many more police in training or due to commence training shortly. There is an increase in the auxiliary force which will enable more police to be deployed effectively on the ground. We have made changes to our recruiting procedures which will enable a recruit school to be engaged even though the establishment number is reached. In other words, by the time we get our numbers up, we will have 60-odd more police officers in the force than we have ever had before. That must go some way towards having a greater impact on antisocial behaviour. Mr Stirling: But, there are to be no extra police at Nhulunbuy, eh? Mr MANZIE: It is not police and police alone. Communities have to accept responsibility for the behaviour of people ... Mr Stirling: The police there will have to struggle on. More overtime. Mr MANZIE: Parents have to accept responsibility for the behaviour of their children. Mr Stirling: You will go broke paying overtime. Mr MANZIE: Mr Speaker, the member for Nhulunbuy calls from the wilderness up there. We have not heard much from him. Mr Stirling: There are no extra police for Nhulunbuy. We will have to wait for 18 months. Mr MANZIE: I am sure we will have a brilliant... Mr Stirling: What about your overtime bill? Why dont you have a look at that? Mr MANZIE: I am sure we will hear a brilliant contribution from him, Mr Speaker. Mr Stirling: Go and talk to them ...