The Guardian: NSW knife laws allowing suspects to be scanned without a warrant could be ‘abused by police’

An excerpt from The Guardian: 

Proposed laws to expand New South Wales police powers to randomly “wand” or “scan” people for knives without a warrant could lead to an abuse of power by the force, a lawyer has warned, due to ambiguous wording of the legislation.

The ALS and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) are urging the bill be rejected entirely, or at least be brought in line with Queenslands laws.

“Parliament has an opportunity to improve community safety by funnelling much-needed resources into proven, community-led diversion programs. Why throw more money into failed law and order responses? Our communities deserve better,” said Jonathon Hunyor, the chief executive of PIAC.

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