Civil Rights Loss
In Parliament I opposed new police powers that enable police officers to get orders against someone who has been convicted of a drug supply offence so that they can detain the person or search them, their property or any vehicles on their property without a warrant. Orders last for six months at the minimum and can apply to someone convicted of low level supply such as selling pills to their friends to take together at a music festival. The conviction could have occurred up to 10 years ago, including when the person was a child. The powers will come into effect on a trial basis in three regional area commands and Bankstown and l am concerned that people experiencing disadvantage will be targeted.
During debate I argued that community safety does not rely on the encroachment of human rights and taking a law and order approach to drugs fails to reduce harm. My speech on the bill: > HERE.