ID :
185634
Tue, 05/31/2011 - 15:09
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/185634
The shortlink copeid
O'Farrell introduces graffiti crackdown
SYDNEY (AAP) - Young vandals will be made to face court, clean up their mess and could be stripped of their driver's licence under tough new anti-graffiti laws in NSW.
The graffiti crackdown, promised more than a year ago by Premier Barry O'Farrell, will strip youth offenders of what they value most - the right to hold a driver's licence.
Magistrates will be given the power to suspend an offender's driver's licence, extend the time they spend on their learners or provisional licence or delay when they can apply.
"We know that too many of those involved in graffiti are young boys, we know that young boys enjoy their cars and their driver's licences, that's why we think this is an effective policy," Mr O'Farrell said.
State crime statistics have found two-thirds of graffiti vandals are under the age of 18 and more than half are male.
Mr O'Farrell said graffiti cost the state more than $100 million a year, with $50 million-plus spent by RailCorp annually.
The legislation, introduced into parliament on Tuesday, will also force young vandals to face court and clean up their own graffiti.
"(Graffiti) affects communities, it affects neighbourhoods, it affects businesses, it affects public buildings and institutions, and we're determined to try and crack down on this scourge," Mr O'Farrell said.
But the NSW Greens have slammed the plan to send young vandals before the courts as a waste of public resources that will result in more people in the justice system.
"By pushing these young people into the courts, the government will be exposing many young people to the criminal justice system," said NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge.
"Under the government's plan, the public will foot the bill for magistrates, police, court reporters prosecutors and the like because one young person wrote their name on a train carriage."
However, the legislation was given the thumbs up from the CEO of Keep Australia Beautiful NSW, Peter McLean.
"(It) is the strongest legislation of any state or territory in Australia, ensuring New South Wales will not be the graffiti capital of Australia," he said in a statement," he said.
"Tackling the problem and making offenders clean up their mess is crucial."
The graffiti crackdown, promised more than a year ago by Premier Barry O'Farrell, will strip youth offenders of what they value most - the right to hold a driver's licence.
Magistrates will be given the power to suspend an offender's driver's licence, extend the time they spend on their learners or provisional licence or delay when they can apply.
"We know that too many of those involved in graffiti are young boys, we know that young boys enjoy their cars and their driver's licences, that's why we think this is an effective policy," Mr O'Farrell said.
State crime statistics have found two-thirds of graffiti vandals are under the age of 18 and more than half are male.
Mr O'Farrell said graffiti cost the state more than $100 million a year, with $50 million-plus spent by RailCorp annually.
The legislation, introduced into parliament on Tuesday, will also force young vandals to face court and clean up their own graffiti.
"(Graffiti) affects communities, it affects neighbourhoods, it affects businesses, it affects public buildings and institutions, and we're determined to try and crack down on this scourge," Mr O'Farrell said.
But the NSW Greens have slammed the plan to send young vandals before the courts as a waste of public resources that will result in more people in the justice system.
"By pushing these young people into the courts, the government will be exposing many young people to the criminal justice system," said NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge.
"Under the government's plan, the public will foot the bill for magistrates, police, court reporters prosecutors and the like because one young person wrote their name on a train carriage."
However, the legislation was given the thumbs up from the CEO of Keep Australia Beautiful NSW, Peter McLean.
"(It) is the strongest legislation of any state or territory in Australia, ensuring New South Wales will not be the graffiti capital of Australia," he said in a statement," he said.
"Tackling the problem and making offenders clean up their mess is crucial."
