The Hodgman Liberal Government does not want a Tasmania where people need to beg in the first place.
Our plan for Tasmania focuses on improving people’s lives – reducing cost of living pressures, helping people out of family violence situations and supporting vulnerable Tasmanians into safe and affordable accommodation.
While we support the good intent of the Bill, we also respect advice from Tasmania Police that while rarely used, the current offence is actually broader than just begging and includes imposition, which is instances that involve harassment or unwelcome demands. This is considered an important provision that allows police to move people on when they feel there is a need to do so for public safety.
I have committed to reviewing the current offence of begging and imposition in the Police Offences Act 1935 and will report back to Parliament in the first half of 2019.
