By Alana Kerr
SYDNEY — The Children (Protection and Parental Responsibility) Act 1997 passed in NSW in August gives police extra powers to take young people from public spaces.
The law, which contravenes international human rights conventions, was pushed by rural councils and chambers of commerce from areas where Aboriginal populations are high and youth facilities are minimal.
The Carr Labor government has also drafted the Street Safety Bill. Under this "anti-gang" legislation, police will be empowered to disperse groups of people considered likely to "obstruct, harm or intimidate" and arrest and detain people if they do not disperse. Police will have the power to demand the names and addresses.
Carr refused to repeal the parental responsibility act despite the NSW ALP conference in early October passing a resolution demanding he do so. Opposition to the act comes from Labor left, youth rights advocates, independent MPs and young people organising to defend their rights.
Justice for Young People has held protest actions and public meetings against the repressive legislation. Copwatch, recently formed in Sydney, opposes increases in police powers.
Jenny Newton from the National Children and Youth Law Centre dismisses the existence of a "youth crime wave". Between 1995-96, there was a decrease in assault and robberies by groups of three people under the age of 18.
Dr David Dixon from the University of NSW, who has researched policing in Cabramatta, dispelled the myth that police do not have enough power. Young members of the area's Indo-Chinese community face systematic harassment and intimidation by the police. Of the people strip-searched in the area, 37% of them were men and women under the age of 18, and 75% were conducted in a public place.
Justice for Young People is holding a protest against the Street Safety Bill at 2pm on October 15 outside NSW Parliament House. Telephone Kilty on 9281 5100 or Peter on 9514 2915.