Attorney-General

Raids on Kings X adult shops: X-rated material requires regulation

leerhiannon — 2010-06-01T05:09:42Z

"I struggle to think of a less productive use of NSW Police's valuable time than having fifteen officers spend an entire day confiscating material that is legal for the public to own," Ms Rhiannon said.

"I will be bringing on a motion for debate in NSW Parliament tomorrow, calling on the government to clear up the legal uncertainties around x-rated non-violent erotica.

"Material classified in this category contains consensual sexual activity between adults. It does not contain violence, sexual coercion or depictions of performers under 18 years of age.

"Repeated surveys have shown that the public supports the sale of x-rated material from age-restricted adult shops.

"The Greens' motion calls on the government to do exactly this.

"The Government and Opposition should respect public opinion, get behind the motion and properly regulate the industry.

"It's completely illogical for something to be legal to own, but illegal to sell.

"Until recently, the ban on selling x-rated non-violent erotica was not enforced. This led to it being made freely available in outlets such as newsagents and video stores.

"The outlets now being raided have a right to shake their heads in wonder.

"The NSW Government has a responsibility to families and business owners to close this logic loophole and regulate the sale of non-violent erotica," Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568

Macdonald’s V8 Supercar mate’s deal – Premier’s latest ministerial scandal

leerhiannon — 2010-05-30T04:24:30Z

In 2008 Ms Rhiannon wrote to the NSW Auditor General asking him to
audit the NSW government’s cost/benefit calculations for the V8 event.

Today’s SMH (page 1, http://bit.ly/btu9D6) reports that the Auditor
General conducted that audit and has found that the negotiations with the backer of the V8 event were poorly handled and did not follow established procedures for investing public funds.

“Premier Kristina Keneally has another ministerial scandal on her
hands and she should act decisively,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“Today Ms Keneally should require Minister Macdonald to step aside
from his responsibilities as Events Minister.

“One of the reasons that I requested the Auditor General investigate
was because Minister Macdonald worked out this deal with his close
friend and political associate Greg Jones.

“Now we hear that the Auditor General has found that under Minister
Macdonald public money was allocated to the V8 Supercars race without a system to manage potential conflicts of interest. Advice was not sought from the government's major events body and there was no proper business case.

“This has all the hallmarks of another dodgy Labor deal for mates and
the ball is now with Premier Keneally to clear up the mess.

“The Premier could well be tempted to side step the Auditor General’s
report to minimise further embarrasment for her government on the eve of the Penrith by-election.

“But Minister Macdonald’s action clearly demonstrates that he should
no longer be NSW Events Minister.

“Mr Macdonald’s mismanagment of the event has resulted in a costs blow out. The $35 million cap allocated for the the V8 race over the next five years will be exceeeded by $10 million, according to the Auditor General’s report.

“On top of this the economic benefits are ‘at least 24 per cent’ lower
than the estimates used to justify the event when Minister Macdonald
put his case before cabinet.

“Premier Keneally will put her own reputation on the line if she does
not act on the Auditor General’s report,” Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information – 0427 861 568
Website link to Greens’ work on the Homebush V8 Supercar Event -
http://bit.ly/bcTVlx

Time to legalise sale of non-violent erotica

leerhiannon — 2010-04-09T22:13:40Z

"It's time for the government to lift the ban on the sale of non-violent erotica in NSW," said Ms Rhiannon.

"It doesn't make sense for the sale of non-violent erotica to be illegal, given that it is legal to possess it.

"Non-violent erotica is classified as containing consensual sexually explicit activity between adults. It does not contain violence or coercion, nor does it depict people under 18 years of age.

"The ambiguity in current laws means non-violent erotica can be found in petrol stations and regular video stores, exposing the material to minors and those who might be offended by it.

"With the ban on the sale of non-violent erotica so rarely enforced, any raided businesses are likely to be quite surprised.

"The Greens are bringing a motion before NSW parliament to lift the ban on the sale of X18+ non-violent erotica and restrict its sale to adult shops.

"The legal ambiguity regarding X18+ non-violent erotica only encourages a black market in the industry. It is estimated this is worth at least $200 million a year in Australia.

"NSW has the largest illegal adult media industry in Australia. It is believed more than three-quarters of adult materials sold in NSW are pirated.

"An Interpol report found the money from the black market in films finds its way into the funding of terrorist groups and organised crime.

"The Attorney-General seems to believe that having something illegal for sale but legal to own is a sensible approach. Our laws need to be more consistent.

"Amending the legislation would ensure that trade in non-violent erotica occurred legally and in an appropriate environment," Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568

NSW Ombudsman asked to do more with less

pretaadmin — 2009-08-26T04:24:46Z

The Ombudsman Mr Bruce Barbour has taken the unusual step of writing to Greens MPs warning them of an increase in complaints from constituents because he plans to cut back on complaint handling due to a long running funding squeeze (letter below).

"The Ombudsman's letter suggests he has given up on the government and has been forced to politicise the issue to get some traction, in a similar way to the NSW DPP Nicholas Cowdery.

"The Labor government has been tightening the belt of the NSW Ombudsman for years, reducing its energy and ability to scrutinise government agencies and legislation.

"While the government has been ignoring the Ombudsman's calls for more funding it has also been loading the office up with more functions, creating a massive agency now at risk of falling over.

"Over the last seven years the Ombudsman's functions have grown significantly. For example in 2002 and 2003 the government closed down the Community Services Commission and Inspector-General of Prisons, which were causing it grief, and gave these functions to Mr Barbour.

"The Ombudsman's budget has been affected by the government's efficiency dividend which impacts disproportionately on small agencies, unfunded pay increases and his ever increasing workload.

"In May this year Mr Barbour told his parliamentary oversight committee that his financial situation will mean 20 fewer investigators by 2010 and less significant projects undertaken.

"The Rees government is an expert in delivering funding cuts by stealth, reducing the potency of agencies such as the Ombudsman which it feels threatens its authority," Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568

81.3% increase in drive by shootings: ban semi-automatic pistols

pretaadmin — 2009-06-11T04:01:56Z

The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research figures (www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au) show the number of incidents involving the discharge of a firearm into premises rose by 81.3 percent, from 64 in the 12 months to March 2008, compared with 116 in the 12 months to March 2009.

Lee Rhiannon has given notice of a private members bill to ban all semi-automatic pistols under the Firearms Act.

"Semi-automatic hand guns are popular weapons for drive by shootings. Banning them is a key to reducing this crime," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Semi-automatic long arms were prohibited in the wake of the Port Arthur massacre but their smaller counterparts were not. This omission must now be rectified.

"Although other gun related crime has dropped, the government should not use this achievement to avoid addressing this very real problem of drive by shootings," Ms Rhiannon said.

Samantha Lee, Chair of the National Coalition for Gun Control says, "Drive-by shootings are of particular concern to the general public because they occur in public places, generally bullets are sprayed into a persons home when the perpetrator has no idea who is residing at the premises and streets are terrorised."

Ms Lee further states, "Semi-automatic handguns are the preferred firearm of choice for drive-by shootings because they can be used with one hand, they are easy to conceal and they are high powered military style firearms."

For more information:
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
Samantha Lee - National Coalition for Gun Control - 0418 491 459

NSW gun amnesty ends today: Call for Ombudsman to judge effectiveness

pretaadmin — 2009-06-11T03:46:30Z

"Latest police figures show 3,299 firearms have been surrendered during the amnesty, yet ironically almost four times that number of new gun registration applications were made during this time," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Premier Nathan Rees should request that the NSW Ombudsman investigate how beneficial firearm amnesties are in reducing gun crime and gun related accidents.

"Gun amnesties may be a good look for politicians but their value has been frequently questioned by experts.

"These regular government initiated amnesties would be much more useful if there was a legislative incentive behind such programs.

"Many more gun owners would turn in their weapons if it was illegal to own semi-automatic pistols. It is already illegal to possess a semi-automatic long arm.

"In the coming months I will bring before the NSW Upper House the Greens Bill to ban semi-automatic pistols under the Firearms Act.

"At the end of the day, gun amnesties are only one of many strategies that should be pursued to boost public safety and avoid gun-related injuries and death. While well-intentioned people might hand their guns in, there is no evidence that criminals do the same during amnesties.

"Latest NSW Crime Statistics show that although offences with prohibited and regulated weapons remain stable, there has been a 26 percent increase in the number of drive by shootings from 2007 to 2008.

"The easily concealed semi-automatic pistol should have been banned in the aftermath of the Port Arthur massacre, when semi-automatic long arms were prohibited," Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information - 9230 3551, 0427 861 568

More on Lee Rhiannon's bill: http://lee.greens.org.au/index.php/content/view/2912/50/
Latest Minister for Police releases on the amnesty:
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/156385/20090525_gun_amnesty_update.pdf
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/155644/20090510_gun_amnesty_update.pdf

Bikie law passes with no safeguards adopted

pretaadmin — 2009-04-15T01:31:27Z

“Labor and Coalition MPs collaborated to block all Greens amendments designed to protect key legal rights that are undermined by the anti-gang bill,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“This legislation is big on rhetoric but will not make our communities safer.

“The Greens amendments to insert a two year sunset clause and require the Ombudsman's review of the legislation to be publicly available at the end of this two year period were voted down.

“I found it disturbing that the government and opposition chose to ignore the advice of the NSW Bar Association and the Law Society. Both bodies expressed major reservations to the legislation.

“All the Greens amendments to increase judicial and police accountability were defeated.

“Our amendments designed to protect the public while safeguarding civil rights were lost. This reflects poorly on Labor and the Coalition parties.

“The anti-gang legislation undermines the current rules of evidence, weakens the right of freedom of association and increases the possibility for police corruption.

"The failure of the Attorney General John Hatzistergos to give the second reading speech gave strength to the rumours that he had differences with his Cabinet colleagues about this legislation.

“In what is probably a first for the NSW Parliament the Attorney General allowed the Police Minister to dominate the debate.

“While the Attorney General did give the speech in reply he only came in on the debate after he was challenged to speak by Greens MPs. His behaviour was very unusual.

“The challenge tonight was to pass legislation that improves public safety and ends gang related criminal activity while preserving long held tenets of the justice system. The failure to adopt the Greens amendments meant this balance was not achieved,” Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568

World Youth Day cost blowout: independent review needed

pretaadmin — 2009-04-15T01:47:14Z

The Auditor General today recommended that the government undertake a cost benefit review of its involvement in World Youth Day.

"It is not in the public interest to let the government conduct a post-event review of World Youth Day, as recommended by the Auditor-General today," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The history of this government suggests an internal post-event review would be shabby and unhelpful. A thorough review into all aspects of World Youth Day 2008 by an independent body like the Auditor General is required.

"In June this year I met with the Auditor-General to ask him to conduct a performance review to delve into the effectiveness, efficiency and economy of agencies involved in organising the event.

"The Auditor-General has powers to conduct a performance audit and investigate allegations of serious and substantial waste of public money.

"There are many aspects of World Youth Day 2008 that deserve to be put under the microscope, not just why the final cost was six times the original budget estimate.

"The Auditor-General could analyse whether the additional APEC like police powers given were excessive or appropriate, and uncover the full story behind the decision to use Randwick racecourse for the papal mass and the resulting compensation deal.

"Mr Achterstraat's office could also examine the continued failure of the government to publicly release key reports and papers detailing predicted costs and benefits, despite repeated demands before the event was held.

"The Rees government is keen to put Sydney back on the events circuit. The flawed decision to bring V8 supercar racing to Olympic Park is a prime example.

"A proper independent evaluation of World Youth Day by the Auditor General is important to learn lessons for the future of this state," Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
The Auditor General's financial audit of World Youth Day 2008 is at: http://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/publications/reports/financial/2008/vol5/pdf/123_1469_world_youth_day_co-ordination_authority.pdf