Proposed law reform to prevent knife attacks

Australian Community Media

NSW Premier Chris Minns spoke about possible knife crime reforms that would allow police to stop and search people for a weapon without reasonable suspicion or a warrant. Video via AAP.

Transcript

00:00 We've introduced new legislation in relation to strangulation offences.

00:05 We've put them in a higher risk offender legislation.

00:08 We've changed the law in relation to bail for young offenders.

00:11 We've looked at increase in penalties for those that assault a retail worker.

00:18 We've introduced legislation for public and private offenders.

00:22 So, in all of those circumstances, we looked at the information,

00:26 we assessed the existing legislation, we spoke to stakeholders and we thought

00:30 we made a balanced and appropriate change to the law.

00:33 That's all I'm proposing to do.

00:35 If they've got a warrant or they have a reasonable suspicion

00:37 or they've got a contraband item like a knife,

00:40 reversing that onus in particular communities would mean that

00:43 if you were walking from your house to the shopping centre

00:46 that the police could stop you and search you without a warrant

00:50 or without reasonable suspicion.

00:52 Now, we're contemplating that law change.

00:54 It's a major change to the way it's applied in New South Wales

00:57 and I need to make sure that the public understands

00:59 that it's important to propose changes before we get it.

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