NSW: 2003 - Less freedom, more water
By Denise McNamara
SYDNEY, Dec 30 AAP - If deemed a terror threat `target' you and your house can be searchedby police without a warrant.
Aggrieved by this? The state law may not prove to be the salvation it once was withnew reforms capping damages payouts.
And if all talk of terror sends you jiving for some light relief to the nightclub,they must now serve you water, albeit in "reasonably priced" bottles which could comefinanced by soon-to-be-opened weekend banks.
Welcome to the reformed world of NSW where in 2002 over 130 bills were passed intolaw and where many will come to full force in 2003.
It is a world governed by concerns that terrorists and civil liability claims willdestroy life as we know it.
In what Premier Bob Carr described as one of the most significant bills ever introducedinto the state's parliament, the Terrorism (Police Powers) Bill became law a fortnightago without amendments.
Under it, laws can be triggered giving police powers to search `target' people, vehiclesand premises for seven days to prevent a terrorist attack or for 24 hours after an incidenthad occurred.
Senator Andrew Murray branded the laws a disgrace, telling federal parliament the legislationmeant certain police behaviour "may not be challenged, reviewed, quashed or called intoquestion on any grounds whatsoever".
In a similar vein, the Security Industry Amendment Bill will see only Australian citizensor permanent residents eligible for security licences in order to restrict access to firearmsfor the state's 38,000 licensed guards.
The NSW Civil Liability Amendment (Personal Responsibility) Bill was lauded by businessand community groups and even Prime Minister John Howard as the saviour of public eventsunder the firing line of skyrocketing insurance premiums.
The first stage of the reform package passed through parliament in May, limiting generaldamages awards, payouts for lost earnings and costs recoverable by lawyers.
In a year dominated by stories of gang rapes, the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Amendment(Standard Minimum Sentencing) Bill 2002 was passed last month, promising to make judgesmore accountable and sentences more consistent.
Under the reforms, the murder of a police officer, teacher or health worker would attracta standard minimum sentence of 25 years.
Murder in other cases would attract 20 years.
Gang rape would have a minimum standard sentence of 15 years.
But it was not only law and order that made it to the statute books.
By mid-January, banks can apply to the industrial relations department to open Saturdaysand Sundays, with applications to be approved within 40 days.
By January 10, all licensed premises must serve free or "reasonably priced" water ina bid to avert the practise of turning off cold water taps in night club bathrooms andcharging more for water than alcohol.
"Reasonable" has yet to be determined by the department of gaming and racing but anybreach could see licence cancellation or fines of $22,000.
By mid-year all those serving alcohol - even your friendly bottle shop assistant -must have undergone a responsible service of alcohol course.
In 2003 - post September 11 and Bali - their services may well be much in demand.
AAP dmc/arb/sco/de
KEYWORD: YEAR NSW
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