Mr ELFERINK - 1998-10-06
On 23 June this year you foreshadowed introduction of legislation to support the establishment of a national DNA database. Is the minister able to provide an update of the progress of this proposal?
ANSWER
Yes, Madam Speaker, I can indeed. Many members would be aware that DNA testing is the greatest technical advance since the introduction of fingerprinting, in all probability, in relation to improved levels of protection for society, and the reliable investigative tool that DNA testing will provide police. It is already used, to a limited degree, by police in the Northern Territory, but there is a need for legislative change if we are to take maximum advantage of this wonderful technique. The experience in the United Kingdom has demonstrated, over 17 consecutive months, a reduction in crime and the ability for police to apprehend offenders much sooner. This is probably most appropriate in the case of sexual assaults.
Members may recall the series of sexual assaults which occurred in the Nightcliff area a number of years ago. The offender was known as Mr Stinky. If we had had DNA databases in place at that time then we may well have been able to identify, after the first assault, that particular offender. Of course, sadly, he still has not been caught. But from the point of view of DNA testing, I think it is an excellent example of how this sort of technology can be applied, and these techniques can be applied, to afford a much higher level of safety for Territory women and the broader community, because of the ability for it to be applied much more broadly than to just sexual assault. That demonstrates the importance of DNA testing and the ability for it to be a magnificent and significant additional level of protection for Territorians.
There will be requirements for legislation to amend the Police Administration Act, the Juvenile Justice Act, the Prisons Correctional Services Act and the Criminal Code. Those amendments have been drafted and I foreshadow that I will introduce them during the course of these sittings. It would be my hope that this parliament will see the passage of those pieces of legislation before the end of this year so that we can afford the higher levels of protection to people across the Northern Territory with the application of DNA testing.
I have made available an offer to all members of the opposition to receive a briefing from police and also Dr Peter Thatcher who heads up the forensic science area of the Northern Territory Police. That will afford them the opportunity to be further appraised of the benefits of DNA tests to police in apprehending offenders, and also in eliminating suspects from further investigation. This reduces the imposition of police inquiries on individuals unnecessarily, while at the same time releasing police to go and pursue the offender rather than wasting time questioning suspects who can be more quickly eliminated by the application of DNA testing. I am sure that the members opposite will take the opportunity for that briefing from police and Dr Thatcher and that they will be able to do that in the context of the draft legislation that I will present during the course of these sittings.
ANSWER
Yes, Madam Speaker, I can indeed. Many members would be aware that DNA testing is the greatest technical advance since the introduction of fingerprinting, in all probability, in relation to improved levels of protection for society, and the reliable investigative tool that DNA testing will provide police. It is already used, to a limited degree, by police in the Northern Territory, but there is a need for legislative change if we are to take maximum advantage of this wonderful technique. The experience in the United Kingdom has demonstrated, over 17 consecutive months, a reduction in crime and the ability for police to apprehend offenders much sooner. This is probably most appropriate in the case of sexual assaults.
Members may recall the series of sexual assaults which occurred in the Nightcliff area a number of years ago. The offender was known as Mr Stinky. If we had had DNA databases in place at that time then we may well have been able to identify, after the first assault, that particular offender. Of course, sadly, he still has not been caught. But from the point of view of DNA testing, I think it is an excellent example of how this sort of technology can be applied, and these techniques can be applied, to afford a much higher level of safety for Territory women and the broader community, because of the ability for it to be applied much more broadly than to just sexual assault. That demonstrates the importance of DNA testing and the ability for it to be a magnificent and significant additional level of protection for Territorians.
There will be requirements for legislation to amend the Police Administration Act, the Juvenile Justice Act, the Prisons Correctional Services Act and the Criminal Code. Those amendments have been drafted and I foreshadow that I will introduce them during the course of these sittings. It would be my hope that this parliament will see the passage of those pieces of legislation before the end of this year so that we can afford the higher levels of protection to people across the Northern Territory with the application of DNA testing.
I have made available an offer to all members of the opposition to receive a briefing from police and also Dr Peter Thatcher who heads up the forensic science area of the Northern Territory Police. That will afford them the opportunity to be further appraised of the benefits of DNA tests to police in apprehending offenders, and also in eliminating suspects from further investigation. This reduces the imposition of police inquiries on individuals unnecessarily, while at the same time releasing police to go and pursue the offender rather than wasting time questioning suspects who can be more quickly eliminated by the application of DNA testing. I am sure that the members opposite will take the opportunity for that briefing from police and Dr Thatcher and that they will be able to do that in the context of the draft legislation that I will present during the course of these sittings.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016