JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
with Public Interest Advocacy Centre
Tuesday 4 June 2024
As debate resumes this week on the Government’s controversial knife ‘wanding’ laws, parliamentarians are being urged to reject the bill entirely or, at the very least, pass amendments to protect civil liberties.
The bill currently before NSW Parliament would give police extraordinary powers that are unprecedented in NSW, allowing them to stop and search people in public places for no reason.
An independent review of similar powers in Queensland found there is no evidence they deter knife carrying and that police officers relied on stereotypes and cultural assumptions in choosing who to target.
The Aboriginal Legal Service and Public Interest Advocacy Centre are calling on Parliament to reject the proposed laws, saying they pose too great a risk to the rights of NSW residents and will not deter violent crime.
For those parliamentarians who are determined to pass the bill, the organisations have urged amendments which would bring the laws in line with the Queensland pilot they are based on, and require the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission to independently monitor police actions under the new laws and deliver an evaluation after the first 12 months.
Quotes from Nadine Miles, Principal Legal Officer, Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited:
“We all want and deserve to live in safe communities, but there is no evidence these laws will reduce knife crime and a high risk that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be disproportionately targeted.
“If Parliament is determined to let down the people of NSW by passing this harmful legislation, they must include safeguards to ensure oversight by the police watchdog. Robust and independent police accountability is essential to Closing the Gap and repairing community–police relationships.”
Quotes from Jonathon Hunyor, CEO, Public Interest Advocacy Centre:
“We have years of evidence showing that arbitrarily increasing police powers doesn’t result in safer communities.
“These laws will subject already over-policed communities to further targeting and harassment. That only builds distrust.
“Parliament has an opportunity to improve community safety by funnelling much-needed resources into proven, community-led diversion programs. Why throw more money into failed law and order responses? Our communities deserve better.”
ENDS
Media contacts:
Aboriginal Legal Service: Bart Denaro, 0427 950 312, [email protected]
Public Interest Advocacy Centre: Dan Buhagiar, 0478 739 280, [email protected]
