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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-10-17 Daily Xml
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ALCOHOL-FUELLED VIOLENCE

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (14:59): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, representing the Premier, a question about alcohol-fuelled violence.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: On 26 August Jason Lindsley was brutally assaulted at Zhivago nightclub on Currie Street. The assault left Jason in an induced coma for a lengthy period. I understand Jason is now taking the first steps to what I am sure will be a slow recovery from this senseless attack. However, I am pleased to hear that he is making good progress. I acknowledge Jason's father's presence in the gallery today.

Last week, I met with Mr Doug Lindsley, Jason's father, who raised his concerns about the escalating number of alcohol-fuelled attacks. In the past month alone, there have been at least four late night incidents where both men and women have been king hit. Unfortunately, not all victims have been as lucky as Jason, with some attacks proving to be fatal. Clearly, something needs to be done about this growing problem. I understand Doug has met with the Premier about this issue and has also sought a meeting with the Leader of the Opposition. Doug would like to see a bipartisan approach to dealing with this issue, and I wholeheartedly support Doug in this campaign.

Can the Premier advise what approach the government proposes to take in order to address this problem, including any specific strategies proposed to deal with this issue? Further, can the Premier indicate whether the government would be willing to contemplate some sort of roundtable discussion involving all sides of politics specifically targeting alcohol-fuelled violence, as suggested by Doug?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (15:00): I thank the honourable member for his most important questions. I am sure he is well aware that in one of my former responsibilities as minister for liquor licensing I attempted to bring through this place a range of major legislative changes in an attempt to address some of these appalling problems associated with alcohol-fuelled violence.

We know the number of incidents, the abuse and tragedy associated with alcohol-fuelled violence, tragically, is on the increase. Yet, this place saw fit to amend some of the toughest components of those reform strategies; blocked it, would not let it through. This government is serious about addressing some of these problems, so it will press on. I know that all members in this place are shocked and saddened at the series of recent tragic deaths that have occurred in this state relating to alcohol-fuelled violence. I know that the hearts of everyone in this chamber go out to the families and friends of those victims.

Much needs to be done. There are a number of programs currently being delivered through the youth justice system that seek to address violent behaviours, particularly of young people in custody. I have been advised there are things like systematic training in anger reduction, plus problem solving, learning, skill programs, behavioural management programs, etc. I am advised the Department for Correctional Services also delivers programs that engage young people between 18 and 25 in custody and community corrections, focusing on violence prevention and emphasising the need for violent offenders to take responsibility for their actions.

In addition, I am advised that programs are funded through the government's Attorney-General's Department. It has introduced legislation as a deterrent for violent offenders and, where appropriate, has amended legislation to reflect new trends in violent behaviour. I am also advised that the Summary Offences (Weapons) Amendment Bill 2012 will amend the Summary Offences Act 1953 to make it an offence to sell a knife to a person under the age of 16 and creates new offences relating to having knives in schools and other public places. It gives police greater powers to search people for weapons. Regulations to support the operation of the act are being drafted.

We have also introduced managed taxi ranks, which I am pleased was one of the initiatives that I put in place. I was able to obtain some additional funding to open up new managed taxi ranks. Police now have the power to use hand-held metal detectors to find knives and other weapons. As I have said, our priority is to ensure a much safer place, particularly for our night revellers.

At 1pm today, the Premier and Deputy Premier released the government's late night trader code for consultation with industry and the community. I am advised that the code includes various measures to address irresponsible consumption of alcohol and the safety of late night venues. The measures to be consulted on include use of polycarbonate glassware, metal detectors and CCTVs, etc.

We are also consulting the time at which these measures could come into effect. For example, the code suggests that the polycarbonate glassware should be used from midnight by all venues which trade after 2pm. The code also suggests that happy hours should not be allowed after 12 midnight and that shots should not be served after 2am. The government looks forward to engaging with the community and with the industry about these further suggestions.

I am advised that the Deputy Premier met this morning with Mr Lindsley, and Nat Cook, Neil Davis and Jessica Sanderson from the Sammy D Foundation, to discuss the late night trader code and other measures being considered by the government. The late night trader code, I am advised, is one part of the wider government strategy for dealing with alcohol-fuelled violence.

As part of the 129 additional officers hired by SAPOL in 2011-12, additional officers have also been allocated recently to the Hindley Street station. The commissioner for SAPOL recently announced a restructure of SAPOL tactical teams to allow dozens of officers to target high-risk areas at short notice in support of local service areas.

I am also advised that the Deputy Premier is also chairing a committee involving the Minister for Police, the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Minister for Transport Services and the Minister for Youth to discuss further measures to address this problem.

There are aspects in the late night code that the government cannot bring into effect without legislative change. The government intends to invite the opposition and Independents to attend a roundtable discussion about the changes needed to the Liquor Licensing Act; I am advised that this will take place. We hope to achieve a bipartisan agreement to amendments to the Liquor Licensing Act on this occasion. Real change at this level needs to occur.

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