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Your help is needed to oppose new move on and random search powers law

Dec 5, 2009 12:19:00 PM / by Vu Long Tran

Information regarding this proposed law has been sent to me via a youth link which I would like to share with you all. This seems like something that is going to be debated that is quite concerning as it appears that it hasn't been properly investigated and consulted within the community.

Here are the details below:

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On Tuesday 8th December the Upper House of Victorian Parliament will debate and vote on proposed new laws that give invasive powers for police which will impact on the everyday life of tens of thousands of Victorians. On 26 November the Government and the Opposition members in the Lower House of Parliament passed the proposed laws despite acknowledging they breach fundamental human rights.

We seek your urgent support to oppose this proposed law and request voting be deferred until politicians properly investigate and consult with community rather than rush it through Parliament.

The proposed ‘Summary Offences and Weapons Control Amendment’ Bill introduces new ‘move on powers’ for police that enable them to order any one to move away from public spaces even if they haven’t committed any crime. Interstate experience indicates these laws will target young people in particular.

The Bill also allows the police to conduct random searches including strip searches of children under 18 in certain circumstances. Similar proposed legislation in WA has been sent off for investigation by an upper house Committee due to the public uproar about the impact of these invasive powers on the community.

If you don't want laws that have proven to be ineffective, unfairly target young people and create unnecessary conflict between community groups and police then please send an email such as the one below, to the Government by Tuesday 8th December 2009.

SUGGESTED EMAIL MESSAGE
I AM WRITING TO URGE YOU TO OPPOSE THE ‘SUMMARY OFFENCES AND WEAPONS CONTROL AMENDMENT ACT’ BILL OR AT LEAST DEFER PASSING THE BILL UNTIL THERE HAS BEEN A PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS SUCH A LAW. THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD PARTICULARLY ENABLE CONSULTATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE, HOMELESS PEOPLE AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE WHO ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE EFFECTED BY THESE LAWS.

Please email to:

john.brumby@parliament.vic.gov.au Premier, Leader of the government, ALP
ted.baillieu@parliament.vic.gov.au Leader of the Opposition, Liberal party
rob.hulls@parliament.vic.gov.au Attorney General, ALP
bob.cameron@parliament.vic.gov.au Minister for Police and Emergency Services, ALP
peter.ryan@parliament.vic.gov.au Leader of the National party
sue.pennicuik@parliament.vic.gov.au Greens, Australian Whip

Other links of interest
- Second Reading Speech in the Victorian parliament
http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/downloadhansard/pdf/Assembly/Jul-Dec%202009/Assembly%20Jul-Dec%202009%20Daily%2025%20November%202009.pdf

Check out pp 90 to 97 of Hansard Nov 25th Second reading speech by Peter Ryan National, Tony Lupton ALP and Andrew McIntosh.

- Media release: http://www.youthlaw.asn.au/upload/mediarelease-streetlawsnov2009.pdf
- Joint letter to Minister Cameron http://www.youthlaw.asn.au/upload/mincameronproposedmoveonpowers_finalpdf.pdf
- Submission to SARC Parliamentary Committee http://www.youthlaw.asn.au/upload/youthlawsarcsubmission-summaryoffencesandcontrolofweaponsactsamendmentbill_2_.pdf

- Article in Sunday Age 29th November 2009 http://www.theage.com.au/national/police-to-have-power-to-stripsearch-at-random-20091128-jy0e.html

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Vu Long Tran

Written by Vu Long Tran

Solutions Engineer APAC. ex-@Forrester consultant. Writing on #cloud #howto guides and #tech tinkering!