Police Powers to Use Handheld Scanners in Public Places and Schools
Police Administration Amendment Bill 2024
Introduced by: The Hon Lia Finocchiaro MLA (CLP) — Chief Minister
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Lia Finocchiaro CLP
“Madam Speaker, I present a Bill titled the Police Administration Amendment Bill 2024, Serial 5. Bill read a first time.”
Selena Uibo ALP
“Madam Speaker, I move that the debate be adjourned. Motion agreed to; debate adjourned.”
Gerard Maley CLP
“Madam Speaker, as the opposition failed to jump up at this time-- those opposite were too busy fighting amongst themselves--it is up to the government to lead this debate. The opposition members are so unorganised that they could not even get the jump on such an important issue. This shows how incompetent the opposition is ...”
Chanston Paech ALP
“Madam Speaker, I acknowledge the contribution made by the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister. Territory Labor and other non-government members were afforded the opportunity to see these proposed amendments only this week. The Chief Minister had many things to say about transparency, integrity and accountability when she was in opposition.”
Matthew Kerle CLP
“Madam Speaker, I am honoured to make my contribution on Declan’s law. I acknowledge Samara Laverty, who is here today. Like many of us in the Chamber when I heard the terrible news about what had happened at Jingili, I was horrified. Later I found out that we have a friend in common. My first job was working at Sizzler restaurant many years ago.”
Joshua Burgoyne CLP
“Madam Speaker, I support this Bill. I acknowledge Samara Laverty in the Chamber and thank her for her conviction and steadfast resolve to see this through. I have witnessed the courage that Samara Laverty brings us to ensure that what happened to her son does not happen to anyone else’s son, daughter, brother, sister, husband, wife or other relative.”
Tanzil Rahman CLP
“Madam Speaker, this is an important set of Bills. Declan Laverty was killed in March 2023. As many of you will be aware, I returned to the Northern Territory only a year ago, despite having grown up here. I remember that I was in the UK on the day when Declan Laverty passed.”
“Madam Speaker, I acknowledge the family and friends of Declan Laverty in the Chamber. My condolences go out to you again. I met with you just then and said hello. I understand why you are here today fighting for change. I support the fight for change with you. I also want to see change, but I cannot support this Bill.”
Clinton Howe CLP
“Madam Speaker, I will first address Samara Laverty: thank you for being here today and for your incredible efforts in what you have done since Declan’s death. You represent many victims in the Northern Territory. It takes immense courage and will, especially considering the grief I cannot imagine you have experienced. The people of Drysdale thank you.”
“Madam Speaker, I support the bail and police administration amendments relating to knife crime, which we proudly call Declan’s law. I acknowledge the presence of Samara Laverty, who is here after a gruelling emotional fight to pursue justice for the stabbing death of her son, Declan Laverty. I thank you, Samara, for your ongoing courage while you live on without your beautiful boy.”
Steven Edgington CLP
“Madam Speaker, it has come to my attention that there was a small wording error in the explanatory statement for the Police Administration Amendment Bill 2024, Serial 5. The Bill is accurate, and I now table a correct version of the explanatory statement for members.”
Laurie Zio CLP
“Madam Speaker, I will speak on the CLP’s agenda to amend the Bail Act. If any of the members of the opposition were in the room when I delivered my maiden speech yesterday, they would have heard that I am a listener. As I listened to the Member for Gwoja, I was blown away by his self-professed knowledge about how to fix the crime, the poverty and the state of the Northern Territory.”
Oly Carlson CLP
“Madam Speaker, I also acknowledge Samara Laverty here today. As the newly elected Member for Wanguri, I am proud to stand with the government to support these amendments under 143 --- Debates and Questions Wednesday 16 October 2024 Meeting No 2 Declan’s law.”
Bill Yan CLP
“Madam Speaker, I will speak on this all-important legislative change for the Territory. I acknowledge Samara Laverty in the Chamber. Many people yesterday spoke in this House about courage, and the courage that Samara Laverty has shown in the 18 months since Declan’s tragic death is to be commended. She has fought for her son--for justice for her child. That shows great courage.”
Khoda Patel CLP
“Madam Speaker, I am honoured to speak about Declan’s law, a crucial step forward in making our community safer. The CLP introduced this legislation in response to the shocking reality that over half of youth crimes in the past year were committed by offenders on bail. These are the crimes that should never happen, and this law aims to prevent them.”
“Madam Speaker, I acknowledge the presence of Samara Laverty in this Chamber. I mentioned in my maiden speech yesterday that two murders in Darwin--those of Declan and Sifat--influenced my decision to take the path which led to my place in this Chamber. I support this Bill and have had the opportunity to review this Bill in detail.”
“Madam Speaker, like everyone else I extend my condolence and sympathies to Samara. I have young adult children, but I will not pretend to say that I can imagine the grief you have gone through. However, I sympathise with it. All I can think about is that the spirit of Declan lives on. His spirit is influencing all of us to make lives better so that we do not go through the same mistakes.”
Andrew Mackay CLP
“Madam Speaker, I acknowledge, as my colleagues in this Chamber and those opposite have done, the presence of Samara Laverty. I cannot imagine the turmoil and pain you are going through. I commend you for your courage and bravery in pursuing this issue and seeing it come to a head. I was fortunate enough to cross paths with young Declan when he worked at the bottle shop.”
Jo Hersey CLP
“Madam Speaker, I speak on the reducing-crime package that we campaigned on for the election and which Territorians have given us a clear mandate to deliver. We make no apologies for delivering on that plan. This is what Territorians expect, and community safety is a key focus of this CLP government led by Lia Finocchiaro. I acknowledge Samara’s presence in parliament.”
Robyn Cahill CLP
“Madam Speaker, I thank Samara Laverty for everything she has done to fight for the memory of her child. As a parent, I do not know whether I would have had the courage to do what she has done if I had found myself in her situation. The people of the Territory owe you a great debt of thanks and gratitude for the effort you have put in.”