Latest news with #OleoresinCapsicum
West Australian
2 days ago
- Politics
- West Australian
NT government to allow public to use pepper spray in self defence
The Northern Territory government is set to increase its safety measures by allowing the public use of pepper spray for self defence in a 12-month trial. The 12-month trial will allow the public to carry low-percentage Oleoresin Capsicum spray, better known as pepper spray, for self defence reasons and under strict legal conditions. The NT has faced law and order issues over recent times, raising concerns within the community over safety and crime. The Finocchiaro CLP government has passed a number of reforms since winning last year's election, including stricter bail laws and lowering the age of criminal responsibility. 'This initiative responds directly to community calls for more safety options and reflects the government's commitment to restoring the Territory lifestyle,' Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said. The spray is made with a nonlethal substance that an cause a painful and burning sensation, and temporarily impair vision, allowing the victims to escape, but it is not as powerful as sprays handled by police. Pepper spray is currently classified as a 'prohibited weapon' in the NT. Ms Finocchiaro said the trial would give residents 'more choice when it comes to personal safety'. 'We're strengthening the frontline with more police, stronger laws and better prevention, but we also believe individuals should have lawful tools to protect themselves if needed,' she said. Pepper spray will be available for purchase from licensed dealers across the NT from September 1, 2025, and will only be eligible under strict conditions A person must be over 18 to purchase the pepper spray, show valid NT photo ID and have no relevant serious criminal history or domestic violence orders. They must also be purchased in person from a licensed NT dealer. The specifics of the trial will be determined alongside the NT Police, key stakeholders, industry bodies, licensees and the broader community. A 'community oversight reference group' will also be established to oversee how the trial is run. She said she believed the trial would be well-received by the NT community, based on the reaction from a similar trial in Western Australia. Western Australia is currently the only state or territory to allow people to carry the nonlethal spray, under strict conditions. 'We've seen Western Australia undertake a similar trial, and it's provided valuable insights into how a controlled, lawful model can give people greater peace of mind without compromising public safety,' Ms Finocchiaro said. 'This is about equipping Territorians with more options, not less control. 'It's a practical step that balances personal responsibility with community safety, and we'll be watching the outcomes closely through reporting and evaluation.'
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
NT's drastic move in law and order crisis
The Northern Territory government is set to increase its safety measures by allowing the public use of pepper spray for self defence in a 12-month trial. The 12-month trial will allow the public to carry low-percentage Oleoresin Capsicum spray, better known as pepper spray, for self defence reasons and under strict legal conditions. The Northern Territory will introduce a 12-month trial into personal pepper spray use. Credit: Supplied The NT has faced law and order issues over recent times, raising concerns within the community over safety and crime. The Finocchiaro CLP government has passed a number of reforms since winning last year's election, including stricter bail laws and lowering the age of criminal responsibility. 'This initiative responds directly to community calls for more safety options and reflects the government's commitment to restoring the Territory lifestyle,' Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said. The spray is made with a nonlethal substance that an cause a painful and burning sensation, and temporarily impair vision, allowing the victims to escape, but it is not as powerful as sprays handled by police. Pepper spray is currently classified as a 'prohibited weapon' in the NT. Ms Finocchiaro said the trial would give residents 'more choice when it comes to personal safety'. 'We're strengthening the frontline with more police, stronger laws and better prevention, but we also believe individuals should have lawful tools to protect themselves if needed,' she said. NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the move would give residents 'lawful tools' for self defence. NewsWire / David Beach Credit: News Corp Australia Pepper spray will be available for purchase from licensed dealers across the NT from September 1, 2025, and will only be eligible under strict conditions A person must be over 18 to purchase the pepper spray, show valid NT photo ID and have no relevant serious criminal history or domestic violence orders. They must also be purchased in person from a licensed NT dealer. The specifics of the trial will be determined alongside the NT Police, key stakeholders, industry bodies, licensees and the broader community. A 'community oversight reference group' will also be established to oversee how the trial is run. The nonlethal spray is not as powerful as ones used by police. Supplied Credit: Supplied She said she believed the trial would be well-received by the NT community, based on the reaction from a similar trial in Western Australia. Western Australia is currently the only state or territory to allow people to carry the nonlethal spray, under strict conditions. 'We've seen Western Australia undertake a similar trial, and it's provided valuable insights into how a controlled, lawful model can give people greater peace of mind without compromising public safety,' Ms Finocchiaro said. 'This is about equipping Territorians with more options, not less control. 'It's a practical step that balances personal responsibility with community safety, and we'll be watching the outcomes closely through reporting and evaluation.'
West Australian
2 days ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Landmark pepper spray trial in crime-hit community
A landmark trial allowing the public sale of pepper spray for self defence is set to be introduced by a crime-troubled territory. The Northern Territory is set to become only the second jurisdiction in the country to allow residents to carry pepper spray, giving people "more choice when it comes to personal safety". Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said a 12-month trial was set to launch from September, allowing approved members of the public to carry a low-percentage Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray under strict legal conditions. The move was part of the NT government's justice reforms that focus on reducing crime and restoring community safety and security, she said. "We're strengthening the frontline with more police, stronger laws and better prevention, but we also believe individuals should have lawful tools to protect themselves if needed," Ms Finocchiaro said in a statement. Ms Finocchiaro's government made law and order the cornerstone of its first budget with a record $1.5 billion investment in corrections, courts and police. The NT government also lowered the age of criminal responsibility from 12 to 10 and introduced tougher bail laws. Data shows the NT has an incarceration rate three times greater than anywhere else in Australia and has the highest reoffending rate, with six out of 10 prisoners returning to jail within two years of release. Consultation to determine the trial's specifics will be led by NT Police, industry bodies, licensees, other key stakeholders and the broader community. The initiative would ensure the NT joins Western Australia as the only jurisdictions in Australia allowing residents to carry pepper spray. "This is about giving Territorians more choice when it comes to personal safety," the chief minister said. "This is about equipping Territorians with more options, not less control." Approved OC spray is set to be made available for purchase from licensed dealers across the NT from September 1. The NT proposal comes as a class action trial in Victoria winds up involving climate protester Jordan Brown challenging the police's use of pepper spray against him during a mining protest. His lawyers have told the Supreme Court that Victoria Police's use of the spray on him at a 2019 protest outside the International Mining and Resources Conference in Melbourne was violent and excessive. But lawyers for Victoria Police claim the use of force was lawful, as protesters were impeding officers from making an arrest. Closing submissions before Judge Claire Harris are being heard on Wednesday and Thursday.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Landmark pepper spray trial in crime-hit community
A landmark trial allowing the public sale of pepper spray for self defence is set to be introduced by a crime-troubled territory. The Northern Territory is set to become only the second jurisdiction in the country to allow residents to carry pepper spray, giving people "more choice when it comes to personal safety". Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said a 12-month trial was set to launch from September, allowing approved members of the public to carry a low-percentage Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray under strict legal conditions. The move was part of the NT government's justice reforms that focus on reducing crime and restoring community safety and security, she said. "We're strengthening the frontline with more police, stronger laws and better prevention, but we also believe individuals should have lawful tools to protect themselves if needed," Ms Finocchiaro said in a statement. Ms Finocchiaro's government made law and order the cornerstone of its first budget with a record $1.5 billion investment in corrections, courts and police. The NT government also lowered the age of criminal responsibility from 12 to 10 and introduced tougher bail laws. Data shows the NT has an incarceration rate three times greater than anywhere else in Australia and has the highest reoffending rate, with six out of 10 prisoners returning to jail within two years of release. Consultation to determine the trial's specifics will be led by NT Police, industry bodies, licensees, other key stakeholders and the broader community. The initiative would ensure the NT joins Western Australia as the only jurisdictions in Australia allowing residents to carry pepper spray. "This is about giving Territorians more choice when it comes to personal safety," the chief minister said. "This is about equipping Territorians with more options, not less control." Approved OC spray is set to be made available for purchase from licensed dealers across the NT from September 1. The NT proposal comes as a class action trial in Victoria winds up involving climate protester Jordan Brown challenging the police's use of pepper spray against him during a mining protest. His lawyers have told the Supreme Court that Victoria Police's use of the spray on him at a 2019 protest outside the International Mining and Resources Conference in Melbourne was violent and excessive. But lawyers for Victoria Police claim the use of force was lawful, as protesters were impeding officers from making an arrest. Closing submissions before Judge Claire Harris are being heard on Wednesday and Thursday.
