[Greens-Media] Media Release: Government sees sense on "hopscotch" amendments

[David Shoebridge]

Media Release

7 May 2014



The Coalition Government has today seen some sense on its graffiti laws and supported Greens amendments that exclude chalking from the operation of their new graffiti laws. The proposal in its original form would have criminalised children drawing hopscotch squares on public footpaths or street artists chalking artworks on footpaths.



Greens MP and Justice Spokesperson David Shoebridge said:



"In supporting the Greens amendment to this bill the Government stepped away from creating a law that criminalises children chalking out hopscotch or handball courts on the footpath. This is a positive step.



"The need for this amendment shows just how poorly considered this draconian reform was, with the Government frantically backpedalling from their original proposal.



"Though we are glad they saw sense on this aspect of the laws, the remaining elements of the scheme will continue to divert police resources away from dealing with serious crimes.



"The bill will produce a scheme which still does not provide an appropriate or sufficient diversionary regime.



"Time and again the reviews of this scheme show that it does not work to reduce graffiti offences, and instead of engaging with the reasons why, the Liberal Government continues to propose ever more draconian schemes.



"It is time to move away from creating ever more offences, and start working on strategies that work to prevent graffiti like greater youth engagement and environmental landscaping solutions," Mr Shoebridge said.





David Shoebridge

Greens MP in the NSW Legislative Council

P: (02) 9230 3030 T: @ShoebridgeMLC<http://twitter.com/#!/shoebridgemlc>

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