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- 13 September 2005
Dubbo Electorate Law and Order
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Page: 17631
Mrs DAWN FARDELL (Dubbo) [6.04 p.m.]: I speak tonight about something that has become all too common across New South Wales, and I ask, "Who is responsible?" Masses of normal, well-adjusted and hardworking people in our society live in a constant state of fear and worry. Most at risk, and vulnerable to these fears, are the elderly and the single mothers who cannot seek refuge or safety in their own homes behind bar-clad windows or security alarms. Since coming to this place to represent the people of the Dubbo electorate, I have been stunned to witness the constant stream of constituents coming to my office, pleading for assistance to move from their current environment, where they live in fear. The people have approached me because they are frustrated with the system and their treatment by government departments and agencies, and they have nowhere else to turn. No doubt fellow members are having the same experience. This environment of fear has been reflected in the recent results collated from a crime survey that I posted to my constituents.
The response was overwhelming. Many people took the time to detail harrowing, graphic and often violent experiences of their own. There were suggestions on how to curb crime and many more residents indicated they were just grateful that someone had taken the time to seek their opinion. And those harrowing experiences? I ask other members to consider the following and not to be surprised if many of these points sound familiar: keeping your home locked day and night for fear that someone will come in uninvited; going to bed each and every night to find that sleep evades you because you worry about your safety; wandering your home routinely, checking locks, windows and doors; constant nagging thoughts about what you will find in the morning, what damage will be done; stress and worry about your children's safety, whether they are coming home from school or simply doing something like normal kids do, visiting their friends; will they be bashed, have rocks or bottles thrown at them or be threatened?
This becomes a particular worry if you have a daughter or elderly female neighbour. Will she be harassed, threatened with rape by packs of young men or be confronted by a pack of young women and have broken bottles or knives shoved in her face? Do you have fears of even leaving your home to do something as simple as shopping amid worries you may return to find your home damaged or burnt to the ground? Have you ever received advice not to purchase something new because you know it will be damaged or stolen? Have you had your fence kicked in or pushed over, your plants uprooted, stolen or smashed? Do your front or back doors get kicked in and do you insist that grandchildren do not visit or sleep over for fear of being exposed to this? Have you been abused for just walking around your own backyard? Have you heard raised voices on your street of fighting, yelling or swearing? Do gangs of youths attack each other and police with bottles, rocks, bricks or sticks?
Have you heard the sounds or caught a glimpse of people jumping over your fence, walking through your back or front yard screaming abuse, threats or taunts? Do you question why your once- friendly neighbourhood or street has almost turned into a war zone, slum or dumping ground? Do you see piles of rubbish become bonfires in the middle of the road? Does the rubbish then become a steady supply of ammunition or missiles to throw at police, firefighters, and other service personnel? Is there always an element of concern about new faces in the street, those known to have dangerous criminal backgrounds? Has that spirit of togetherness abandoned your community? Has all hope of fighting back vanished?
These questions are asked by not only the residents of Dubbo but by countless others around New South Wales. The residents of my electorate say, "Enough is enough". That once safe and secure lifestyle can be brought back, we can once again find a semblance in normality of everyday life, but before that can happen, serious law and order problems must be addressed and the perpetrators made accountable, regardless of age or circumstance. Channel Nine's A Current Affair and host, Ray Martin, recently aired a segment about an uncontrollable youth who refused to attend school. That posed the question about just who is responsible. Although the segment lasted only 10 minutes, these serious questions are continuing. In a perfect world, parents are responsible, but, sadly, many find it difficult to look after themselves for various reasons, sometimes because of drug or alcohol abuse or a lack of education or life skills. We are now experiencing a third generation, who, when they are as young as five, are staggering down that same path towards self-destruction.
In my electorate, progress is being made: a small sliver of light is being seen at the end of a very long tunnel. As a result of intense lobbying and encouragement from me and the local police commander, Superintendent Stuart Smith, at last local representatives of government departments and agencies are meeting on a regular basis to case-manage clients. However, resources are needed to make that a daily occurrence. As one constituent stated to me, we need action and attention, not paper shuffling. All members of this Parliament must take responsibility to amend laws and provide a safe and secure environment in which to live. I recall that the Summary Offences Act protected citizens from the situation we are experiencing today.
Why is it that we should just take for granted that we will be sworn at or abused while on the streets and hear parents chastise or abuse their children in a foul manner. We parliamentarians are responsible, regardless of political belief or ideology. We should not bend to the whims of a few. A few years ago, when I was watching my children play, I reflected with a close friend, a magistrate's wife and qualified solicitor, that I should have had my children earlier in life so I could play with them more often. Her reply was, "Dawn, they need a mother, not a sister." It is with those accounts in mind that I encourage all honourable members to support the tough measures needed to ensure all children attend school. Those who are responsible are the decision makers, bureaucrats and politicians. Many issues contribute to crime. However, the only way in which we will be effective in fighting crime is to take on the responsibility and work together. There should be no more talk. The community in New South Wales wants action.
Mr GRANT McBRIDE (The Entrance—Minister for Gaming and Racing, and Minister for the Central Coast) [6.09 p.m.]: I commend the new member for Dubbo for her passion and commitment to her local electorate. As she pointed out, problems relating to young people and to domestic violence at home are being experienced right across the State. Those problems are being experienced in my area and in every electorate throughout New South Wales. The honourable member pointed out accurately that it is not a party issue; it is a parliamentary issue that affects us all. I commend the honourable member for her comments and for her determination to achieve results. She is leading the charge in her electorate.
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