The controversial criminal investigation (Identifying People) 2013 bill introduced in WA State Parliament on 8 August 2013 will be re-drafted and further debate on the Bill is suspended. The local news media such as CHANNEL 7 News , 6PR, SBS Radio and social media reported it as an ‘ anti-Burqa Bill’ when this is not the intent of the legislation according to WA State government.
Hansard debates made references to a 2010 NSW Muslim woman’s traffic offense case and the proposed changes to Section 16 (4A) c & d of the Legislation citing Burqa as an example. This may have helped the media to create alarm in the community.
The Muslim and Sikh delegates to the meeting raised objections word “head” for photo identifying purposes proposed in the bill. This was suggested as too imprecise a word that can lead variety of problems. Instead it was reasoned that it should have read “face” for accuracy and concise meaning without reducing the intent of the proposed legislation to fight crime.
The Minister for Police Hon Liz Harvey and Deputy Commissioner of WA Police Cmdr Chris Dawson reassured delegates of WA Muslim and Sikh communities at a Parliament meeting that the principal intent of amendments to the legislation is to fight criminals who conceal their identities.
The amendments aims to improve criminal forensic investigations and is not directed at any section of the community in Western Australia.
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