NSW: Police papal powers to remain six months after Sydney visit

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2007
NSW: Police papal powers to remain six months after Sydney visit

SYDNEY, Dec 13 AAP - A NSW government minister has corrected himself after saying special
police powers in place for next year's papal visit to Sydney would not be extended beyond
the event.

State parliament last week enacted laws resembling those invoked for the September
APEC summit of world leaders in Sydney.

They give police and private security guards the power to conduct body searches, car
searches and bar anyone from World Youth Day (WYD) events.

The airspace above the Randwick Racecourse, which is expected to hold up to 500,000
pilgrims during the six-day event in July, will also be closed to air traffic.

Police will also be given power to remove unauthorised advertising, preventing rogue
marketing, while private bus operators can also be forced to provide their services at
a compensatory rate.

NSW acting minister for WYD, John Della Bosca, told ABC Radio today that the papal
visit would not see a repeat of the controversial police tactics used during the APEC
summit in September.

But he was caught out by Greens leader Lee Rhiannon when he said the laws invoked under
the World Youth Day Amendment bill would lapse when the pope left Australia.

Ms Rhiannon rang up during the interview to point out the laws would be in effect until
six months after the pope departs Australia.

Mr Della Bosca quickly apologised and admitted his mistake.

"Actually the 31st of December is technically correct but I have to say I apologise,
I didn't mean to mislead you," Mr Della Bosca said.

He said although the laws would still be in effect, the intent of the laws disappeared
after WYD and they would not be used after the event.

AAP vpm/was/jt/mn

KEYWORD: POPE DELLABOSCA

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