Police will be given unprecedented powers to stop and search people for weapons and drugs in designated areas under a plan unveiled by Premier Colin Barnett at this morning’s annual State Liberal Party conference in Perth.
Mr Barnett has used his address to the 60th annual conference to emphasise the Government’s tough law and order policy, which he recognised was a focus of last year’s State election.
He has also announced that the Government will move to scrap Labor’s cannabis laws and introduce tougher legislation within a fortnight.
Mr Barnett said the stop and search powers would allow police to detect weapons and drugs being carried into “declared areas” on specific days and at specific times.
The new powers would be directed at entertainment precincts such as Northbridge, Scarborough and Mullalloo beaches, but could also be invoked to apply at events such as concerts.
Mr Barnett said the laws would be used to combat increasing violence and anti-social behaviour with the aim of allowing ordinary law abiding citizens to “reclaim” entertainment areas.
He said the laws would prevent offenders from escaping punishment on “technicalities” related to existing laws which require a reasonable suspicion before police can conduct searches.
The searches would involve non-intrusive “airport style” pat-downs, metal detectors and the use of sniffer dogs.
“There will be cries of infringement of civil liberties but we make no apologies if we give law abiding people, families and young women, the freedom to go to places without fear for their safety,” Mr Barnett said.
In line with a policy outlined during the election campaign, the Government's cannabis laws will remove protection from criminal prosecution which had previously been given to growing two plants.
The laws will also lower the possession threshold from 30g to 10g and force those caught with small amounts of cannabis to undergo counselling, the sale of drug paraphernalia will be made illegal and allow people convicted of minor cannabis possession to clear their records if they do no re-offend within three years.
“Cannabis is not a soft or harmless drug,” Mr Barnett said. “Research continues to show that cannabis can lead to a host of health and mental health problems, including schizophrenia, and can be a gateway to harder drugs.”
Mr Barnett also used his address to the conference, which ends today, to outline the Government's achievements over the past year in power.
Describing the Liberal-National alliance as a Government which was making decisions, the premier cited the expansion of the Ord river irrigation scheme, the development of an LNG processing facility at James Price Point in the Kimberley, commitments to a deep water port at Oakajee, the sinking of the railway line which divides Perth and Northbridge and plans for a Perth waterfront development as key projects.
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Oh, and there have been new reports out just recently from some very reputable places that have shown that it does NOT cause schizophrenia, in fact, it has no discernible effect and the old theories, which were based on flawed research many, many years ago, are no longer valid. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19539765 - "earlier this month indicate that the recreational use of marijuana does not affect brain chemistry in a way that is consistent with the development of schizophrenia." http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19560900 These are from very reputable sources, one including the notable Schizophrenia Research journal. Barnett needs to actually start getting more current on scientific evidence rather than just reading a few dodgy headlines from google or news of the world - he is behind the times on current theory and its making a fool out of himself.
how one earth is this going to help against violence? He should be setting up vending machines in northbridge so everyone gets stoned, not repealing laws against something that doesnt hurt anyone. He should ban alcohol instead.
nany state, grow up. Barnett and his goons simply want to invent more ways of abusing the people of this good state out of their hard earned money and civil liberties we should stand up for more often, go go the french way, riots in the streets when our government crosses the line. Colin word of advice, criminalization isnt the answer, ask any 1st year politics or law major!!!, look to countries such as switzerland and norway and how their laws work. Education and and a change in mentality is whats needed. Ohh and the people causing all the fights??... Drunk sport junkies that think behaving like their favorite footy star or rugby star is acceptable... their the ones that start 90% of fights!! and you want to "take back" northbridge for the families??? just about one of the most ignorant statements ive ever heard. my last post got deleted by the looks of it, seems when people voice their opinions with some rather "home hitting" facts the post is deleted by the west .. but we will see if they delete this one, now that ive "toned it down" a little.
Oh dear - not "Ban The Bong" time again is it ? As a director of a company that sells a large proportion of all bongs sold in Australia, I have over the past 30 years seen many state governments introduce, with varying degrees of success and ineptitude, legislation to ban the sale of smoking paraphernalia. I have always recommended the WA Cannabis Control Act as a model and in fact suggested that the ACT Assembly have a look at it when a few months ago a bill went before it to ban the sales of bongs here - that bill was defeated. But now if Mr Barnett has his way the only state which tried the 'education not legislation' approach will join other prohibitive states and indulge in some political housekeeping by banning the poor old bong and sweeping the perceived problem under the carpet and indeed underground. Out of sight, out of mind !!! The cannabis debate is a huge one and I will only make the following points here: * The sale of bongs has been illegal in NSW for 20 years and I defy anyone to show this has reduced the incidence of cannabis consumption in that state * In spite of what Mr Barnett says, I cannot believe the hype that "cannabis is filling our mental hospitals" - there will always be people who will have problems with any drug. Educate and help them. * A simple but true analogy - if the sale of wine glasses was banned tomorrow how much would such a move affect the sale and consumption of wine. * Sale of paraphernalia and drugs to minors should be illegal - simple ! Adults should have the right to make their own decisions in such matters. * If you wish to control violence in society look to alcohol - or is that too difficult ? * Don't put cannabis in the same basket as other drugs. * If bongs were banned, so what ? If you have a credit card they are easily available online and if you have not got a card then it's back to the dirty old orchy bottle and garden hose.
but u known this for so long , and how long will it take to clean up perth spot u say u going to do so answer this when will it start to be in full steam. never u dont have enough police now , mmmmmm so is it all talk for votes again mmmmmmmmm like Northbridge still a bad hole ........... so
Legalize cannabis (marijuana) and go after the hard stuff. Laws against cannabis are a splendid example of "the law is an ass".
Why would families now go to an area where you will now be stopped and search by Liberal Police who will love having the extra powers to intimidate
couldnt agree more camo ... so back to the 80s we go ... what happened to education and teaching the health consequences ??? No brain Colin brings back the big stick and makes it cool again to break the law. No brain Colin - no brain. Goodluck to the cops ... now 50% of society are criminals again. Colin - u got a lucky ride into government - dont get ahead of yourself mate. Your still a small fish .. with a stupid grin.
Why not go all the way back and start alcohol prohabition again.you may be able to raise more revenue.
i forgot u just wont the money right
u going to have more people in court on soft charges and feel up the courts then the big boys get the mrs bigs no the poor little guys
About time /to get smart with Drugs and Booze