Inquiry to be held

Press, 16 April 1986, Page 3

Inquiry to be held

The level of community concern about violence and violent offending was great and there had to be a systematic investigation into it, said the Minister of Justice, Mr Palmer, yesterday.

To look at the wider social implications, a fourmember committee of inquiry would be announced by the end of the week to

report to him by October 31 on steps which might be taken to deal with the problem of violence in the community.

The committee would be chaired by a former High Court Judge and would be small, fast, and mobile, Mr Palmer said.

It would examine the social factors behind violent offending. It would explore the causes — including upbringing, educational achievement, socioeconomic circumstances, drugs, alcohol, role models, and other factors — and concentrate on practical answers. Mr Palmer said the inquiry would receive submissions from the public and the information it gathered would focus on what legislative or other practical steps should be taken to combat the problem. “I have looked closely at the question of whether a summit should be called

on the question and have decided that a committee of inquiry will achieve faster and more effective results,” he said.

While a large gathering would allow people to air their concerns, it would be costly in terms of time and money. Valuable Government resources would need to be diverted to support it. A committee of inquiry would have a more focused approach than a summit conference.

In reporting to him on practical steps that could be taken to reduce the incidence of violence and violent crime in the community, it would examine the incidence of violence and violent crime; identify aspects of society which may contribute to violent behaviour; isolate areas which may require more extensive investigations; and recommend specific steps which may be taken to combat the problem.