<
https://theconversation.com/will-move-on-orders-for-rough-sleepers-make-cities-safer-or-revive-victorian-era-cruelty-284549>
"A proposed law currently before New Zealand’s parliament would give police the
power to move people on from public spaces if they are found begging, rough
sleeping or otherwise causing a disturbance.
Under the
Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill, police would also
be able to detain a person, collect their personal details, formally issue the
order and serve it on them.
Recipients could even agree to have the notice served by email. It can last for
up to 24 hours; and the police decide how far away the person has to move.
Breaching an order could result in a fine of up to $2,000 or three months’
imprisonment, while providing false details could attract a $500 fine.
Supporters say the bill – being considered by parliament’s Justice Select
Committee and presently open to public consultation – will help police deal
with disorderly behaviour and make town centres safer.
Critics argue it risks criminalising homelessness and poverty while doing
little to address the underlying causes.
More than a century ago, colonial New Zealand law allowed people to be
prosecuted as vagrants if they could not explain how they supported themselves.
There are uncomfortable echoes of that approach in the proposed legislation.
Like its Victorian-era predecessor, the bill reflects a view that people on
society’s margins should be managed through the criminal justice system, rather
than through social support."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
