Mr ADRIAN PICCOLI: My question is directed to the Chair of the Standing Committee on Public Works. The standing committee's report into graffiti and public infrastructure, released yesterday, recommended a dedicated graffiti hotline and increased penalties for graffiti offenders. Will the chair of the committee now support the New South Wales Liberals and Nationals policy to crack down on graffiti offences, which includes the establishment of a dedicated graffiti hotline and increased penalties for graffiti offenders?

Mr NINOS KHOSHABA: Just last year the Government launched its comprehensive graffiti action plan and increased the penalties for graffiti offenders. The Graffiti Control Act was introduced. The Act doubled imprisonment penalties for graffiti vandalism from 6 months to 12 months, doubled imprisonment penalties for the possession of graffiti implements from 3 months to 6 months and banned the possession of spray paint cans by youths without a legitimate reason for them. The Act also empowered courts to order graffiti vandals to clean up their own graffiti, made it an offence for a person to sell a spray paint can to a minor, and made it an offence to supply a spray paint can to a minor.

As part of the plan, the Government introduced changes to State planning policies to ensure government agencies consider "designing out" graffiti—such as by using coatings and lighting, and restricting access—when constructing new buildings. The Government established the Anti-Graffiti Action Team, which brings together experts from government agencies, retailers and the paint industry in order to coordinate and implement new graffiti initiatives.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Opposition has asked a question and the member for Smithfield seems very willing to respond.

Mr NINOS KHOSHABA: To answer the question, the member for Murrumbidgee needs to read the report correctly. The report recommends a graffiti hotline, in the form of the Crime Stoppers number that is already in place.

The SPEAKER: I note that the majority of that applause was from Opposition members!