Green Events Policing Cost Recovery

The Hon. ROBERT BROWN: My question is directed to the Attorney General. Is the Attorney General aware of the domestic terrorist action by Greenpeace extremists at the Munmorah Power Station two weeks ago? Is he aware also that in Tasmania, which has been plagued by these sorts of protests in its forests and woodchip mills for years, the police commissioner has suggested that the Tasmanian Government alter the law to allow police to recover costs from these civil pests who stage what the commissioner rightly described as "carefully conducted media events"?

Is the Attorney General aware also that a Green group, who lost a legal challenge to the Anvil Hill mine yesterday, is now threatening acts of civil disobedience to stop the mine going ahead? Given the circumstances, will the New South Wales Government consider a catch-up change to the law here to allow police and emergency services in New South Wales to recoup the costs incurred in attending these blatant, dangerous and police-resource draining publicity stunts?

The Hon. JOHN HATZISTERGOS: It is an interesting proposition, and one that I will research diligently and come back to the House on.