web links and documents
The full text of the Summary Offences and Control of Weapons Acts Amendment Act 2009 can be found at http://austlii.law.uts.edu.au/au/legis/vic/num_act//soacowaaa200992o2009565/s12.htmlAn explanation of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities can be found on the Internet site of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. This site also has a link to the full text of the Charter.
This information can be found at http://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/human%20rights/the%20victorian%20charter%20of%20human%20rights%20and%20responsibilities/
On November 30, 2009, the online commentary and current affairs site, Crikey, published a comment by Greg Barnes titled, 'New law gives police the right to frisk anyone, anywhere;. The piece is opposed to the new laws and considers the problems associated with similar laws introduced in Great Britain. The full text of the comment can be found at http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/11/30/new-law-gives-police-the-right-to-frisk-anyone-anywhere/
Dr Helen Szoke, the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner, issued a media release through the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission detailing the Commission's concerns regarding the Summary Offences and Control of Weapons Amendment Act. One of these was that the Act, while acknowledged to be in breach of Victoria's Human Rights Charter, was made law without adequate community consultation. The full text of this media release can be found at http://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/News%20and%20Events/media%20releases/20091229.asp
A summary of different responses to these amendments was published in the Australian on January 11, 2010. These different points of view can be found at http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/if-you-want-to-stop-knife-crimes-search-old-ladies/story-e6frg6zo-1225817864043
On January 11, 2010, the Maribyrnong Leader published a report on the first stop and search operation conducted in Victoria under the amended legislation. The operation was conducted at Footscray railway station on January 7, 2010. The report includes comments from those both opposed and in favour of the new laws. The full text of the report can be found at http://maribyrnong-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/knives-in-footscray-station-haul/
On January 24, 2010, Green Left Weekly published an opinion piece by Margarita Windisch, titled, 'New police powers threaten human rights'. The comment is opposed to the amendments. The full text of the opinion piece can be found at http://www.greenleft.org.au/2010/823/42349
On February 5, 2010, Bob Cameron, as Victorian Police Minister, issued a media release announcing the new walk through metal detectors which Victoria Police will be using to implement their new stop and search powers. The police minister writes strongly in support of the new police powers.
The full text of this media release can be found at http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/newsroom/9325.html