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Why is supply such a problem? Because state laws enacted in 1971-1972 introduced an
ideological schism between possession and supply that demonized supply, resulting in ever increasing penalties for supply at the same time as there was a gradual relaxation of penalties for possession and use. The demonization has been so effective that black market compassionate and grow-your-own suppliers are now treated as if they are master criminals.
Read More“The algorithms which underlie this technology, have at their heart arbitrary concepts of what is normal. People are selected for attention by authorities on the basis of their supposedly abnormal behaviour or appearance.” Mr Cope said
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Domestic and family violence is an ongoing scourge in our community. We do not think it necessary to repeat what is already well-known about the level of family and domestic violence and the harm that it does. These statistics are in any event, well summarised in the discussion paper.
However from a Civil Liberties point of view whilst the prevention of harm is a necessary condition for government to take action it is not a sufficient condition.
ln taking action to protect members of the community from harm, the state has to have regard to the
rights and liberties of other individuals. ln particular, before interfering with the rights and liberties of others it is that fundamental that the State demonstrates that the proposed measure will be effective at protecting the members of the community it is intended to protect.
Many if not all of the erosions of civil liberties over the last five decades were modelled in Nixon’s War on Drugs and the subsequent Reagan War on Drugs. Well before the sex offender and anti-terrorism laws: mandatory sentencing; reverse onus of proof; warrantless invasion of homes based on reasonable suspicion; proceeds of crime laws allowing
confiscation without conviction; phone tapping laws; cash transaction laws; and ‘civilisation’
of crime generally by replacing the criminal standard with the civil standard of proof
Read More“CCTV is a cheap way for politicians to be seen to be doing something to reduce crime. But it creates a false sense of security for the public.”
Read MoreIt is extremely alarming that some parts of our government seem to think they should be protected from scrutiny by the elected representatives of the people of the country. This is an anathema to any Democrat.
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