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The Government is moving to give police the power to issue move-on orders to people engaging in disorderly behaviour in public places.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell said the new power is aimed at addressing disruptive behaviour in town centres and public spaces.
“Our main streets and town centres have been blighted by disruption and disturbance. Businesses are declining as some bad behaviour goes unchecked. It needs to stop,” Goldsmith said.
Currently, police have limited options when behaviour does not meet the threshold for an offence. The Government says this can leave officers unable to intervene before situations escalate.
Under proposed amendments to the Summary Offences Act 1981, Police would be able to issue move-on orders to people aged 14 or older who are:
- Displaying disorderly, disruptive, threatening or intimidating behaviour
- Obstructing someone entering a business
- Breaching the peace
- Begging
- Rough sleeping
- Indicating intent to inhabit a public place
Move-on orders would require a person to leave a specified area for up to 24 hours and move a reasonable distance away, as directed by a constable.
Mitchell said the change is about providing frontline officers with additional tools to ensure public safety.
Police would be required to warn individuals that breaching a move-on order without reasonable excuse is an offence. The penalty would be a maximum fine of $2,000 or up to three months’ imprisonment.
The amendments will go through the standard legislative process before coming into effect.
