CRIMINAL LAW CONSOLIDATION (LOOTING) AMENDMENT BILL

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 24 February 2011.)

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (10:53): This private member's bill moved by the member for Davenport has been the subject of discussion between the honourable member and me for a good while. He raised the matter with me many months ago. I do not think there has ever been any difference of opinion between the honourable member and me about the policy point behind this amendment, and that is that people who take advantage of emergency situations to loot property, steal property from other people, are particularly unpleasant examples of low-lifes, or low-lives—I am not sure what the plural of a low-life is but, anyway, they are certainly in that category.

Mr Pengilly: Creeps.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Creeps, yes, thank you member for Finniss. He has hit the nail on the head, as always. These people clearly deserve to be singled out for special treatment and I agree with the honourable member for Davenport in that regard.

I should inform the chamber, however, that there was initially a difference of opinion between us as to how we might go about that. I confess to having an aversion, I guess, to aggravated offences, of which this is an example. I hoped to be able to deal with the matter in another way but, upon reflection and after seeking a great deal of advice, I have discovered that the way I would seek to do it is probably more complex and difficult to manage than the proposal that was put up in the first place by the honourable member. For that reason, and after much consideration, I have come to the conclusion that it should be supported.

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (10:55): I will not hold the house long because I know other members have other matters they want to debate. I want to thank the Attorney for, firstly, the discussions over many months about this issue. As the Attorney quite rightly says, he thought he had a different way of achieving the same policy outcome, and I think there was agreement generally on the policy outcome that was sought, but I am pleased that, after receiving all the advice, the Attorney has come to the conclusion that the bill should be supported and I thank the government for their support.

Bill read a second time.

Third Reading

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (10:56): I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Bill read a third time and passed.