Carr uses Opera House law to distract angry voters

[Paul Sheridan]

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MEDIA RELEASE                                                              
 13 May 2004

Carr uses Opera House law to distract angry voters 

The Carr Government's push for 7-year jail terms for trespassing on the Opera House is a diversionary tactic, aimed at drawing attention away from the Premier's failures in education, health and public transport, The Greens said today.

Greens MP and justice spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said: "The Carr Government's proposal of a massive jail term for an act of political dissent is an extraordinary over-reaction.

"Premier Carr is putting non-violent political protests in the same basket as acts of terrorism. This is clearly ludicrous. 

"The fate of Will Saunders and Dave Burgess, who painted 'No War' on the Opera House, demonstrates that our current law is certainly tough enough - they are already doing time in jail for their actions.

"We don't need our laws to be tougher. This announcement will not make us any safer.

"What we need is a Government that's prepared to tackle the real issues - teacher's pay, our rail system and our underfunded hospitals.

"This is a Government without ideas. But its strategy of spin is all too transparent, and nobody is being fooled anymore.

"The Greens call on the Government to focus on the real issues, and forget this ill-conceived populist policy.

"We also urge that Dr Saunders and Mr Burgess be released from periodic detention, which is an inappropriate punishment for their action," Ms Rhiannon said.

More information:  Hans van Leeuwen	9230 3551	0425 310 562





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