Legal agency raises concerns over proposed curfew laws set to be rushed through NT Parliament

ABC NEWS (Australia)

A major legal agency has raised the alarm about proposed curfew laws set to be rushed through the NT parliament. The bill would grant police more flexible powers and remove ambiguity around existing legislation but some are concerned about the broad nature of the proposal.

Transcript

00:00 He's the Territory's top cop, and next week he'll be given even greater powers to declare

00:07 Alice Springs-style curfews.

00:09 New laws proposed by Territory Labor, raising red flags at one of the NT's biggest legal

00:15 agencies.

00:16 "There simply hasn't been the appropriate consultation and consideration of all of the

00:21 unintended consequences of this bill."

00:24 The new laws would grant the Police Commissioner powers to unilaterally declare a curfew for

00:29 72 hours in any part of the Territory in the name of public safety.

00:34 They can then request a 7-day extension, which must be signed off by a Police Minister.

00:39 The powers are broad and can be applied to adults as well as children.

00:44 "They are extraordinary powers and we're incredibly concerned by the fact that there isn't specific

00:49 criteria by which the Commissioner makes that declaration.

00:55 That should be absolutely spelled out in this bill."

00:58 "These are drastic measures, but let's be really clear.

01:01 No one should be committing crimes that puts the wider community at risk."

01:05 The changes come after the three-week youth curfew placed on Alice Springs in March.

01:10 That declaration, made under existing emergency management laws, which critics warned could

01:15 be unlawful.

01:16 The laws were met with deep concern from the NT's Children's Commissioner, who warns more

01:21 curfews could target and harm vulnerable and marginalised groups.

01:25 She says major parties were not consulted on the legislation, but the Police Union says

01:31 it's happy with the outcome.

01:32 "We see this as an admission that the Government might not have got it completely right and

01:36 we obviously applaud them bringing this legislation in to make our Police Force make sure they're

01:40 protected."

01:41 The new changes were introduced by the Police Minister this morning and are likely to be

01:45 waived through Parliament with the Opposition's support next week.

01:49 This announcement comes just two days after a Territory budget packed with funds for new

01:53 prisons and police.

01:56 Law and order shaping up to be a key issue for the Territory's August election.

01:59 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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