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Ban Face Covering Says Nile

Wednesday, 1st December 2010

The Rev Hon Fred Nile MLC, Leader of the Christian Democratic Party, has again highlighted the need to prohibit deliberate concealment of identity whilst in public. Rev Nile made the point during question time in the NSW Upper House.

Reverend the Hon. Fred Nile: My question is addressed to the Attorney General.

  • Has Ms Carnita Matthews been found guilty of laying a false complaint against a police officer and been sentenced to six months imprisonment?
  • Did Ms Matthews seek to deceive the court by falsely claiming that she did not sign or present a statutory statement to local Police, that it was done by another person wearing the Burqa?
  • Did the police prosecutor prove that the signature on the statutory statement was that of Ms Matthews as it matched the signature on her licence?
  • What additional offence should Ms Matthews be charged with for seeking to deceive the court, in cooperation with her solicitor, and will she be charged with a further offence?
  • Does this case justify the importance of passing my face covering bill for the enforcement of law in New South Wales?

The Hon. John Hatzistergos: On 19 November Ms Matthews was convicted of knowingly making a false report to police and was sentenced to six months imprisonment. I am aware that Ms Matthews has appealed her conviction and has been released on conditional bail pending a hearing in the District Court. In relation to that matter I do not propose to make any further comment as it is not appropriate for me to do so at this time. I reiterate what I have said on a number of occasions: it is not my responsibility to investigate or charge people with criminal offences. It is a responsibility of police to carry out that function. Any issues relating to charging and investigating criminal offences should be directed to those who are responsible for the police. In relation to the face covering bill, I offered the Reverend the Hon. Fred Nile on a previous occasion to have that matter debated in this House and appropriately resolved. He has declined that offer.