❓ A WA parliamentary question regarding the lack of specific legislation to address rock attacks on public transport, and the Minister's response highlighting existing laws and planned amendments to address loopholes.
AnsweredQoN 927Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
PUBLIC TRANSPORT — ROCK ATTACKS
(1) Is the minister concerned that legislation has still not been introduced into Parliament to make it a specific offence to throw rocks or other objects at vehicles such as buses or trains? (2) Is the minister concerned at the increasing costs being incurred due to rocks being thrown at such vehicles? (3) When does the minister expect legislation to be introduced to deal with this matter? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN
(1) Is the minister concerned that legislation has still not been introduced into Parliament to make it a specific offence to throw rocks or other objects at vehicles such as buses or trains? (2) Is the minister concerned at the increasing costs being incurred due to rocks being thrown at such vehicles? (3) When does the minister expect legislation to be introduced to deal with this matter? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) It is already an offence—a serious offence—in a number of ways to indulge in the sort of behaviour that I hope the member is condemning. Hon Ken Travers : I have been condemning it for a long time. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Okay. I appreciate the member reconfirming that. I hope the member will not try to make some sort of political stunt out of this, because every time this type of behaviour receives some sort of publicity—every time something is reported—it increases the incidence of the behaviour. In relation to legislation, the Attorney General is, I know, progressing an amendment to close a potential loophole or quasi defence. That loophole may or may not need closing. But, to make sure that we have a belt-and-braces approach, that matter will be progressed. Questions about the progress of that are, of course, appropriately addressed to the Attorney General’s representative. In terms of the thrust of the question as to my view about this sort of behaviour, like the member, I utterly condemn it. There is legislation in place to deal with these people. It is a matter of catching them. Hon Ken Travers : But the police are not charging them, because it is too difficult to prove intent. The legislation that has been proposed will remove that. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : No. I am not a spokesman for the police, and I am not sure that what the member has just described or has alleged about the police is accurate. There are problems in bringing these sorts of culprits to justice. That is because of the difficulty of apprehending these people in the circumstances that prevail—where some dill may be sitting behind a bush on a freeway on-ramp, and, as the bus comes along, throws rocks at that bus. It is very stupid behaviour to be involved in, as all members would agree. It is absolutely reprehensible. There is no question that there needs to be a crackdown on this type of activity. That is the reason that we previously entered into, and are continuing, through the Public Transport Authority, an ongoing dialogue with the police to increase police community presence in response to and availability on, in and around our bus services.
(2) Is the minister concerned at the increasing costs being incurred due to rocks being thrown at such vehicles? (3) When does the minister expect legislation to be introduced to deal with this matter? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: (1)-(3) It is already an offence—a serious offence—in a number of ways to indulge in the sort of behaviour that I hope the member is condemning. Hon Ken Travers : I have been condemning it for a long time. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Okay. I appreciate the member reconfirming that. I hope the member will not try to make some sort of political stunt out of this, because every time this type of behaviour receives some sort of publicity—every time something is reported—it increases the incidence of the behaviour. In relation to legislation, the Attorney General is, I know, progressing an amendment to close a potential loophole or quasi defence. That loophole may or may not need closing. But, to make sure that we have a belt-and-braces approach, that matter will be progressed. Questions about the progress of that are, of course, appropriately addressed to the Attorney General’s representative. In terms of the thrust of the question as to my view about this sort of behaviour, like the member, I utterly condemn it. There is legislation in place to deal with these people. It is a matter of catching them. Hon Ken Travers : But the police are not charging them, because it is too difficult to prove intent. The legislation that has been proposed will remove that. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : No. I am not a spokesman for the police, and I am not sure that what the member has just described or has alleged about the police is accurate. There are problems in bringing these sorts of culprits to justice. That is because of the difficulty of apprehending these people in the circumstances that prevail—where some dill may be sitting behind a bush on a freeway on-ramp, and, as the bus comes along, throws rocks at that bus. It is very stupid behaviour to be involved in, as all members would agree. It is absolutely reprehensible. There is no question that there needs to be a crackdown on this type of activity. That is the reason that we previously entered into, and are continuing, through the Public Transport Authority, an ongoing dialogue with the police to increase police community presence in response to and availability on, in and around our bus services.
(3) When does the minister expect legislation to be introduced to deal with this matter? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: (1)-(3) It is already an offence—a serious offence—in a number of ways to indulge in the sort of behaviour that I hope the member is condemning. Hon Ken Travers : I have been condemning it for a long time. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Okay. I appreciate the member reconfirming that. I hope the member will not try to make some sort of political stunt out of this, because every time this type of behaviour receives some sort of publicity—every time something is reported—it increases the incidence of the behaviour. In relation to legislation, the Attorney General is, I know, progressing an amendment to close a potential loophole or quasi defence. That loophole may or may not need closing. But, to make sure that we have a belt-and-braces approach, that matter will be progressed. Questions about the progress of that are, of course, appropriately addressed to the Attorney General’s representative. In terms of the thrust of the question as to my view about this sort of behaviour, like the member, I utterly condemn it. There is legislation in place to deal with these people. It is a matter of catching them. Hon Ken Travers : But the police are not charging them, because it is too difficult to prove intent. The legislation that has been proposed will remove that. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : No. I am not a spokesman for the police, and I am not sure that what the member has just described or has alleged about the police is accurate. There are problems in bringing these sorts of culprits to justice. That is because of the difficulty of apprehending these people in the circumstances that prevail—where some dill may be sitting behind a bush on a freeway on-ramp, and, as the bus comes along, throws rocks at that bus. It is very stupid behaviour to be involved in, as all members would agree. It is absolutely reprehensible. There is no question that there needs to be a crackdown on this type of activity. That is the reason that we previously entered into, and are continuing, through the Public Transport Authority, an ongoing dialogue with the police to increase police community presence in response to and availability on, in and around our bus services.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: (1)-(3) It is already an offence—a serious offence—in a number of ways to indulge in the sort of behaviour that I hope the member is condemning. Hon Ken Travers : I have been condemning it for a long time. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Okay. I appreciate the member reconfirming that. I hope the member will not try to make some sort of political stunt out of this, because every time this type of behaviour receives some sort of publicity—every time something is reported—it increases the incidence of the behaviour. In relation to legislation, the Attorney General is, I know, progressing an amendment to close a potential loophole or quasi defence. That loophole may or may not need closing. But, to make sure that we have a belt-and-braces approach, that matter will be progressed. Questions about the progress of that are, of course, appropriately addressed to the Attorney General’s representative. In terms of the thrust of the question as to my view about this sort of behaviour, like the member, I utterly condemn it. There is legislation in place to deal with these people. It is a matter of catching them. Hon Ken Travers : But the police are not charging them, because it is too difficult to prove intent. The legislation that has been proposed will remove that. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : No. I am not a spokesman for the police, and I am not sure that what the member has just described or has alleged about the police is accurate. There are problems in bringing these sorts of culprits to justice. That is because of the difficulty of apprehending these people in the circumstances that prevail—where some dill may be sitting behind a bush on a freeway on-ramp, and, as the bus comes along, throws rocks at that bus. It is very stupid behaviour to be involved in, as all members would agree. It is absolutely reprehensible. There is no question that there needs to be a crackdown on this type of activity. That is the reason that we previously entered into, and are continuing, through the Public Transport Authority, an ongoing dialogue with the police to increase police community presence in response to and availability on, in and around our bus services.
(1)-(3) It is already an offence—a serious offence—in a number of ways to indulge in the sort of behaviour that I hope the member is condemning. Hon Ken Travers : I have been condemning it for a long time. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Okay. I appreciate the member reconfirming that. I hope the member will not try to make some sort of political stunt out of this, because every time this type of behaviour receives some sort of publicity—every time something is reported—it increases the incidence of the behaviour. In relation to legislation, the Attorney General is, I know, progressing an amendment to close a potential loophole or quasi defence. That loophole may or may not need closing. But, to make sure that we have a belt-and-braces approach, that matter will be progressed. Questions about the progress of that are, of course, appropriately addressed to the Attorney General’s representative. In terms of the thrust of the question as to my view about this sort of behaviour, like the member, I utterly condemn it. There is legislation in place to deal with these people. It is a matter of catching them. Hon Ken Travers : But the police are not charging them, because it is too difficult to prove intent. The legislation that has been proposed will remove that. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : No. I am not a spokesman for the police, and I am not sure that what the member has just described or has alleged about the police is accurate. There are problems in bringing these sorts of culprits to justice. That is because of the difficulty of apprehending these people in the circumstances that prevail—where some dill may be sitting behind a bush on a freeway on-ramp, and, as the bus comes along, throws rocks at that bus. It is very stupid behaviour to be involved in, as all members would agree. It is absolutely reprehensible. There is no question that there needs to be a crackdown on this type of activity. That is the reason that we previously entered into, and are continuing, through the Public Transport Authority, an ongoing dialogue with the police to increase police community presence in response to and availability on, in and around our bus services.
Hon Ken Travers : I have been condemning it for a long time. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Okay. I appreciate the member reconfirming that. I hope the member will not try to make some sort of political stunt out of this, because every time this type of behaviour receives some sort of publicity—every time something is reported—it increases the incidence of the behaviour. In relation to legislation, the Attorney General is, I know, progressing an amendment to close a potential loophole or quasi defence. That loophole may or may not need closing. But, to make sure that we have a belt-and-braces approach, that matter will be progressed. Questions about the progress of that are, of course, appropriately addressed to the Attorney General’s representative. In terms of the thrust of the question as to my view about this sort of behaviour, like the member, I utterly condemn it. There is legislation in place to deal with these people. It is a matter of catching them. Hon Ken Travers : But the police are not charging them, because it is too difficult to prove intent. The legislation that has been proposed will remove that. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : No. I am not a spokesman for the police, and I am not sure that what the member has just described or has alleged about the police is accurate. There are problems in bringing these sorts of culprits to justice. That is because of the difficulty of apprehending these people in the circumstances that prevail—where some dill may be sitting behind a bush on a freeway on-ramp, and, as the bus comes along, throws rocks at that bus. It is very stupid behaviour to be involved in, as all members would agree. It is absolutely reprehensible. There is no question that there needs to be a crackdown on this type of activity. That is the reason that we previously entered into, and are continuing, through the Public Transport Authority, an ongoing dialogue with the police to increase police community presence in response to and availability on, in and around our bus services.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Okay. I appreciate the member reconfirming that. I hope the member will not try to make some sort of political stunt out of this, because every time this type of behaviour receives some sort of publicity—every time something is reported—it increases the incidence of the behaviour. In relation to legislation, the Attorney General is, I know, progressing an amendment to close a potential loophole or quasi defence. That loophole may or may not need closing. But, to make sure that we have a belt-and-braces approach, that matter will be progressed. Questions about the progress of that are, of course, appropriately addressed to the Attorney General’s representative. In terms of the thrust of the question as to my view about this sort of behaviour, like the member, I utterly condemn it. There is legislation in place to deal with these people. It is a matter of catching them. Hon Ken Travers : But the police are not charging them, because it is too difficult to prove intent. The legislation that has been proposed will remove that. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : No. I am not a spokesman for the police, and I am not sure that what the member has just described or has alleged about the police is accurate. There are problems in bringing these sorts of culprits to justice. That is because of the difficulty of apprehending these people in the circumstances that prevail—where some dill may be sitting behind a bush on a freeway on-ramp, and, as the bus comes along, throws rocks at that bus. It is very stupid behaviour to be involved in, as all members would agree. It is absolutely reprehensible. There is no question that there needs to be a crackdown on this type of activity. That is the reason that we previously entered into, and are continuing, through the Public Transport Authority, an ongoing dialogue with the police to increase police community presence in response to and availability on, in and around our bus services.
In relation to legislation, the Attorney General is, I know, progressing an amendment to close a potential loophole or quasi defence. That loophole may or may not need closing. But, to make sure that we have a belt-and-braces approach, that matter will be progressed. Questions about the progress of that are, of course, appropriately addressed to the Attorney General’s representative. In terms of the thrust of the question as to my view about this sort of behaviour, like the member, I utterly condemn it. There is legislation in place to deal with these people. It is a matter of catching them. Hon Ken Travers : But the police are not charging them, because it is too difficult to prove intent. The legislation that has been proposed will remove that. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : No. I am not a spokesman for the police, and I am not sure that what the member has just described or has alleged about the police is accurate. There are problems in bringing these sorts of culprits to justice. That is because of the difficulty of apprehending these people in the circumstances that prevail—where some dill may be sitting behind a bush on a freeway on-ramp, and, as the bus comes along, throws rocks at that bus. It is very stupid behaviour to be involved in, as all members would agree. It is absolutely reprehensible. There is no question that there needs to be a crackdown on this type of activity. That is the reason that we previously entered into, and are continuing, through the Public Transport Authority, an ongoing dialogue with the police to increase police community presence in response to and availability on, in and around our bus services.
In terms of the thrust of the question as to my view about this sort of behaviour, like the member, I utterly condemn it. There is legislation in place to deal with these people. It is a matter of catching them. Hon Ken Travers : But the police are not charging them, because it is too difficult to prove intent. The legislation that has been proposed will remove that. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : No. I am not a spokesman for the police, and I am not sure that what the member has just described or has alleged about the police is accurate. There are problems in bringing these sorts of culprits to justice. That is because of the difficulty of apprehending these people in the circumstances that prevail—where some dill may be sitting behind a bush on a freeway on-ramp, and, as the bus comes along, throws rocks at that bus. It is very stupid behaviour to be involved in, as all members would agree. It is absolutely reprehensible. There is no question that there needs to be a crackdown on this type of activity. That is the reason that we previously entered into, and are continuing, through the Public Transport Authority, an ongoing dialogue with the police to increase police community presence in response to and availability on, in and around our bus services.
Hon Ken Travers : But the police are not charging them, because it is too difficult to prove intent. The legislation that has been proposed will remove that. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : No. I am not a spokesman for the police, and I am not sure that what the member has just described or has alleged about the police is accurate. There are problems in bringing these sorts of culprits to justice. That is because of the difficulty of apprehending these people in the circumstances that prevail—where some dill may be sitting behind a bush on a freeway on-ramp, and, as the bus comes along, throws rocks at that bus. It is very stupid behaviour to be involved in, as all members would agree. It is absolutely reprehensible. There is no question that there needs to be a crackdown on this type of activity. That is the reason that we previously entered into, and are continuing, through the Public Transport Authority, an ongoing dialogue with the police to increase police community presence in response to and availability on, in and around our bus services.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : No. I am not a spokesman for the police, and I am not sure that what the member has just described or has alleged about the police is accurate. There are problems in bringing these sorts of culprits to justice. That is because of the difficulty of apprehending these people in the circumstances that prevail—where some dill may be sitting behind a bush on a freeway on-ramp, and, as the bus comes along, throws rocks at that bus. It is very stupid behaviour to be involved in, as all members would agree. It is absolutely reprehensible. There is no question that there needs to be a crackdown on this type of activity. That is the reason that we previously entered into, and are continuing, through the Public Transport Authority, an ongoing dialogue with the police to increase police community presence in response to and availability on, in and around our bus services.
It is very stupid behaviour to be involved in, as all members would agree. It is absolutely reprehensible. There is no question that there needs to be a crackdown on this type of activity. That is the reason that we previously entered into, and are continuing, through the Public Transport Authority, an ongoing dialogue with the police to increase police community presence in response to and availability on, in and around our bus services.
(2) Is the minister concerned at the increasing costs being incurred due to rocks being thrown at such vehicles? (3) When does the minister expect legislation to be introduced to deal with this matter? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: (1)-(3) It is already an offence—a serious offence—in a number of ways to indulge in the sort of behaviour that I hope the member is condemning. Hon Ken Travers : I have been condemning it for a long time. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Okay. I appreciate the member reconfirming that. I hope the member will not try to make some sort of political stunt out of this, because every time this type of behaviour receives some sort of publicity—every time something is reported—it increases the incidence of the behaviour. In relation to legislation, the Attorney General is, I know, progressing an amendment to close a potential loophole or quasi defence. That loophole may or may not need closing. But, to make sure that we have a belt-and-braces approach, that matter will be progressed. Questions about the progress of that are, of course, appropriately addressed to the Attorney General’s representative. In terms of the thrust of the question as to my view about this sort of behaviour, like the member, I utterly condemn it. There is legislation in place to deal with these people. It is a matter of catching them. Hon Ken Travers : But the police are not charging them, because it is too difficult to prove intent. The legislation that has been proposed will remove that. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : No. I am not a spokesman for the police, and I am not sure that what the member has just described or has alleged about the police is accurate. There are problems in bringing these sorts of culprits to justice. That is because of the difficulty of apprehending these people in the circumstances that prevail—where some dill may be sitting behind a bush on a freeway on-ramp, and, as the bus comes along, throws rocks at that bus. It is very stupid behaviour to be involved in, as all members would agree. It is absolutely reprehensible. There is no question that there needs to be a crackdown on this type of activity. That is the reason that we previously entered into, and are continuing, through the Public Transport Authority, an ongoing dialogue with the police to increase police community presence in response to and availability on, in and around our bus services.
(3) When does the minister expect legislation to be introduced to deal with this matter? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: (1)-(3) It is already an offence—a serious offence—in a number of ways to indulge in the sort of behaviour that I hope the member is condemning. Hon Ken Travers : I have been condemning it for a long time. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Okay. I appreciate the member reconfirming that. I hope the member will not try to make some sort of political stunt out of this, because every time this type of behaviour receives some sort of publicity—every time something is reported—it increases the incidence of the behaviour. In relation to legislation, the Attorney General is, I know, progressing an amendment to close a potential loophole or quasi defence. That loophole may or may not need closing. But, to make sure that we have a belt-and-braces approach, that matter will be progressed. Questions about the progress of that are, of course, appropriately addressed to the Attorney General’s representative. In terms of the thrust of the question as to my view about this sort of behaviour, like the member, I utterly condemn it. There is legislation in place to deal with these people. It is a matter of catching them. Hon Ken Travers : But the police are not charging them, because it is too difficult to prove intent. The legislation that has been proposed will remove that. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : No. I am not a spokesman for the police, and I am not sure that what the member has just described or has alleged about the police is accurate. There are problems in bringing these sorts of culprits to justice. That is because of the difficulty of apprehending these people in the circumstances that prevail—where some dill may be sitting behind a bush on a freeway on-ramp, and, as the bus comes along, throws rocks at that bus. It is very stupid behaviour to be involved in, as all members would agree. It is absolutely reprehensible. There is no question that there needs to be a crackdown on this type of activity. That is the reason that we previously entered into, and are continuing, through the Public Transport Authority, an ongoing dialogue with the police to increase police community presence in response to and availability on, in and around our bus services.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: (1)-(3) It is already an offence—a serious offence—in a number of ways to indulge in the sort of behaviour that I hope the member is condemning. Hon Ken Travers : I have been condemning it for a long time. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Okay. I appreciate the member reconfirming that. I hope the member will not try to make some sort of political stunt out of this, because every time this type of behaviour receives some sort of publicity—every time something is reported—it increases the incidence of the behaviour. In relation to legislation, the Attorney General is, I know, progressing an amendment to close a potential loophole or quasi defence. That loophole may or may not need closing. But, to make sure that we have a belt-and-braces approach, that matter will be progressed. Questions about the progress of that are, of course, appropriately addressed to the Attorney General’s representative. In terms of the thrust of the question as to my view about this sort of behaviour, like the member, I utterly condemn it. There is legislation in place to deal with these people. It is a matter of catching them. Hon Ken Travers : But the police are not charging them, because it is too difficult to prove intent. The legislation that has been proposed will remove that. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : No. I am not a spokesman for the police, and I am not sure that what the member has just described or has alleged about the police is accurate. There are problems in bringing these sorts of culprits to justice. That is because of the difficulty of apprehending these people in the circumstances that prevail—where some dill may be sitting behind a bush on a freeway on-ramp, and, as the bus comes along, throws rocks at that bus. It is very stupid behaviour to be involved in, as all members would agree. It is absolutely reprehensible. There is no question that there needs to be a crackdown on this type of activity. That is the reason that we previously entered into, and are continuing, through the Public Transport Authority, an ongoing dialogue with the police to increase police community presence in response to and availability on, in and around our bus services.
(1)-(3) It is already an offence—a serious offence—in a number of ways to indulge in the sort of behaviour that I hope the member is condemning. Hon Ken Travers : I have been condemning it for a long time. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Okay. I appreciate the member reconfirming that. I hope the member will not try to make some sort of political stunt out of this, because every time this type of behaviour receives some sort of publicity—every time something is reported—it increases the incidence of the behaviour. In relation to legislation, the Attorney General is, I know, progressing an amendment to close a potential loophole or quasi defence. That loophole may or may not need closing. But, to make sure that we have a belt-and-braces approach, that matter will be progressed. Questions about the progress of that are, of course, appropriately addressed to the Attorney General’s representative. In terms of the thrust of the question as to my view about this sort of behaviour, like the member, I utterly condemn it. There is legislation in place to deal with these people. It is a matter of catching them. Hon Ken Travers : But the police are not charging them, because it is too difficult to prove intent. The legislation that has been proposed will remove that. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : No. I am not a spokesman for the police, and I am not sure that what the member has just described or has alleged about the police is accurate. There are problems in bringing these sorts of culprits to justice. That is because of the difficulty of apprehending these people in the circumstances that prevail—where some dill may be sitting behind a bush on a freeway on-ramp, and, as the bus comes along, throws rocks at that bus. It is very stupid behaviour to be involved in, as all members would agree. It is absolutely reprehensible. There is no question that there needs to be a crackdown on this type of activity. That is the reason that we previously entered into, and are continuing, through the Public Transport Authority, an ongoing dialogue with the police to increase police community presence in response to and availability on, in and around our bus services.
Hon Ken Travers : I have been condemning it for a long time. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Okay. I appreciate the member reconfirming that. I hope the member will not try to make some sort of political stunt out of this, because every time this type of behaviour receives some sort of publicity—every time something is reported—it increases the incidence of the behaviour. In relation to legislation, the Attorney General is, I know, progressing an amendment to close a potential loophole or quasi defence. That loophole may or may not need closing. But, to make sure that we have a belt-and-braces approach, that matter will be progressed. Questions about the progress of that are, of course, appropriately addressed to the Attorney General’s representative. In terms of the thrust of the question as to my view about this sort of behaviour, like the member, I utterly condemn it. There is legislation in place to deal with these people. It is a matter of catching them. Hon Ken Travers : But the police are not charging them, because it is too difficult to prove intent. The legislation that has been proposed will remove that. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : No. I am not a spokesman for the police, and I am not sure that what the member has just described or has alleged about the police is accurate. There are problems in bringing these sorts of culprits to justice. That is because of the difficulty of apprehending these people in the circumstances that prevail—where some dill may be sitting behind a bush on a freeway on-ramp, and, as the bus comes along, throws rocks at that bus. It is very stupid behaviour to be involved in, as all members would agree. It is absolutely reprehensible. There is no question that there needs to be a crackdown on this type of activity. That is the reason that we previously entered into, and are continuing, through the Public Transport Authority, an ongoing dialogue with the police to increase police community presence in response to and availability on, in and around our bus services.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Okay. I appreciate the member reconfirming that. I hope the member will not try to make some sort of political stunt out of this, because every time this type of behaviour receives some sort of publicity—every time something is reported—it increases the incidence of the behaviour. In relation to legislation, the Attorney General is, I know, progressing an amendment to close a potential loophole or quasi defence. That loophole may or may not need closing. But, to make sure that we have a belt-and-braces approach, that matter will be progressed. Questions about the progress of that are, of course, appropriately addressed to the Attorney General’s representative. In terms of the thrust of the question as to my view about this sort of behaviour, like the member, I utterly condemn it. There is legislation in place to deal with these people. It is a matter of catching them. Hon Ken Travers : But the police are not charging them, because it is too difficult to prove intent. The legislation that has been proposed will remove that. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : No. I am not a spokesman for the police, and I am not sure that what the member has just described or has alleged about the police is accurate. There are problems in bringing these sorts of culprits to justice. That is because of the difficulty of apprehending these people in the circumstances that prevail—where some dill may be sitting behind a bush on a freeway on-ramp, and, as the bus comes along, throws rocks at that bus. It is very stupid behaviour to be involved in, as all members would agree. It is absolutely reprehensible. There is no question that there needs to be a crackdown on this type of activity. That is the reason that we previously entered into, and are continuing, through the Public Transport Authority, an ongoing dialogue with the police to increase police community presence in response to and availability on, in and around our bus services.
In relation to legislation, the Attorney General is, I know, progressing an amendment to close a potential loophole or quasi defence. That loophole may or may not need closing. But, to make sure that we have a belt-and-braces approach, that matter will be progressed. Questions about the progress of that are, of course, appropriately addressed to the Attorney General’s representative. In terms of the thrust of the question as to my view about this sort of behaviour, like the member, I utterly condemn it. There is legislation in place to deal with these people. It is a matter of catching them. Hon Ken Travers : But the police are not charging them, because it is too difficult to prove intent. The legislation that has been proposed will remove that. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : No. I am not a spokesman for the police, and I am not sure that what the member has just described or has alleged about the police is accurate. There are problems in bringing these sorts of culprits to justice. That is because of the difficulty of apprehending these people in the circumstances that prevail—where some dill may be sitting behind a bush on a freeway on-ramp, and, as the bus comes along, throws rocks at that bus. It is very stupid behaviour to be involved in, as all members would agree. It is absolutely reprehensible. There is no question that there needs to be a crackdown on this type of activity. That is the reason that we previously entered into, and are continuing, through the Public Transport Authority, an ongoing dialogue with the police to increase police community presence in response to and availability on, in and around our bus services.
In terms of the thrust of the question as to my view about this sort of behaviour, like the member, I utterly condemn it. There is legislation in place to deal with these people. It is a matter of catching them. Hon Ken Travers : But the police are not charging them, because it is too difficult to prove intent. The legislation that has been proposed will remove that. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : No. I am not a spokesman for the police, and I am not sure that what the member has just described or has alleged about the police is accurate. There are problems in bringing these sorts of culprits to justice. That is because of the difficulty of apprehending these people in the circumstances that prevail—where some dill may be sitting behind a bush on a freeway on-ramp, and, as the bus comes along, throws rocks at that bus. It is very stupid behaviour to be involved in, as all members would agree. It is absolutely reprehensible. There is no question that there needs to be a crackdown on this type of activity. That is the reason that we previously entered into, and are continuing, through the Public Transport Authority, an ongoing dialogue with the police to increase police community presence in response to and availability on, in and around our bus services.
Hon Ken Travers : But the police are not charging them, because it is too difficult to prove intent. The legislation that has been proposed will remove that. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : No. I am not a spokesman for the police, and I am not sure that what the member has just described or has alleged about the police is accurate. There are problems in bringing these sorts of culprits to justice. That is because of the difficulty of apprehending these people in the circumstances that prevail—where some dill may be sitting behind a bush on a freeway on-ramp, and, as the bus comes along, throws rocks at that bus. It is very stupid behaviour to be involved in, as all members would agree. It is absolutely reprehensible. There is no question that there needs to be a crackdown on this type of activity. That is the reason that we previously entered into, and are continuing, through the Public Transport Authority, an ongoing dialogue with the police to increase police community presence in response to and availability on, in and around our bus services.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : No. I am not a spokesman for the police, and I am not sure that what the member has just described or has alleged about the police is accurate. There are problems in bringing these sorts of culprits to justice. That is because of the difficulty of apprehending these people in the circumstances that prevail—where some dill may be sitting behind a bush on a freeway on-ramp, and, as the bus comes along, throws rocks at that bus. It is very stupid behaviour to be involved in, as all members would agree. It is absolutely reprehensible. There is no question that there needs to be a crackdown on this type of activity. That is the reason that we previously entered into, and are continuing, through the Public Transport Authority, an ongoing dialogue with the police to increase police community presence in response to and availability on, in and around our bus services.
It is very stupid behaviour to be involved in, as all members would agree. It is absolutely reprehensible. There is no question that there needs to be a crackdown on this type of activity. That is the reason that we previously entered into, and are continuing, through the Public Transport Authority, an ongoing dialogue with the police to increase police community presence in response to and availability on, in and around our bus services.
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