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WA to introduce unprecedented powers to stop and search

From the newswire: OCTOBER 13, 2009 - WA Police will be given unprecedented powers to stop and search people under a new plan unveiled by Premier Colin Barnett. The new legislation, set to be introduced into parliament in coming weeks, means police can now stop and search people and vehicles in designated areas without having to prove reasonable suspicion that a crime has taken place. Barnett will also move to scrap Labor's cannabis laws and introduce tougher legislation within a fortnight, along with tough new 'anti-graffiti' laws. See Perth Indy stories: Tough Cannabis Laws || Tough Graffiti Laws The new powers would be directed at entertainment precincts such as Northbridge, Scarborough and Mullalloo beaches, but could also be invoked to apply at events such as concerts. Mr Barnett said he did not think the new laws were draconian. He said the laws would prevent offenders from escaping punishment on "technicalities". The searches would involve non-intrusive "airport style" pat-downs, metal detectors and the use of sniffer dogs, he said. "There will be cries of infringement of civil liberties but we make no apologies..." The Australian Lawyers Alliance says some people will be unfairly targeted. "I think to have random searches of individuals will lead to that sort of persecution of individuals who are known to police..." READ MORE/Comment... See also: New WA laws get tough on crayons - $24,000 for graffers || Barnett to introduce tougher anti-marijuana laws for WA

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