WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 1977
UNOFFICIALS SUPPORT SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL
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UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON WELCOMED THE BILL AIMED AT STRENGTHENING THE EXISTING LAW RELATING TO THE THROWING OR DROPPING OF THINGS FROM BUILDINGS TO THE DANGER OF THE PUBLIC.
AMONG OTHER IMPORTANT CHANGES, THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1977 PROVIDES FOR THE MAXIMUM FINE TO BE INCREASED TO $10,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS FOR THE OFFENDER DROPPING THINGS FROM A BUILDING AND FOR DROPPING OBJECTS FROM A BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION, THE OFFENDER ALONG WITH THE PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR WILL BE LIABLE TO A FINE OF $50,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR ONE YEAR.
THE HON. PETER C. WONG SAID THAT THE AD HOC GROUP SET UP BY THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS +WHOLEHEARTEDLY+ SUPPORTED MOST OF THE CHANGES PROPOSED.
+ THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN PENALTY IS NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE, AND MAY PROVE TO BE A DETERRENT,+ HE SAID.
IT WAS FAIR TO MAKE THE CONTRACTOR LIABLE, BECAUSE, VERY OFTEN, BY TAKING QUITE SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS DANGER TO THE PUBLIC WOULD BE AVOIDED, HE ADDED.
+HOWEVER, THE GROUP IS NOT CONVINCED THAT IT WOULD BE JUSTIFIED TO EXTEND LIABILITY TO THE OCCUPIER OF PREMISES, EVEN CONSIDERING THE EXIGENCIES OF THE MOMENT.
+ IT IS MORE POLITIC THAN JUST AND ON BALANCE JUSTICE MUST OVERRIDE EXPEDIENCY, + HE SAID, AND URGED THAT THE OCCUPIERS LIABILITY BE REMOVED FROM THE BILL.
MR. WONG SUGGESTED THAT PERHAPS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE PRONE TO COMMIT THE OFFENCE WAS TO +ENCOURAGE SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR THROUGH WELL-PLANNED CAMPAIGNS COMMENSURATE WITH THE GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION. +