Wednesday 1 June 2016

Hansard of the Legislative Council

QUESTIONS
Long Range Acoustic Devices - Use

Mr FINCH (Rosevears)   to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Dr GOODWIN

Can the Government give an assurance that the long range acoustic device - the LRAD - will not be used to control crowd protests?  They not only make people nauseous, dizzy and disoriented, but can cause permanent hearing damage.

ANSWER

Mr President, I thank the honourable member for Rosevears for his question.

Tasmania Police possesses two devices which could be described in this fashion.  These devices were funded by the Commonwealth and issued to state and territory police services in 2011 for use in certain high‑risk policing circumstances.  They have only ever had to be used on a few occasions, none to do with protests or similar situations.  Tasmania Police advises that this device would never be utilised in protest or public order situations.

Tasmania Police is aware of the capabilities of these devices.  They are only operated by highly trained personnel and they would always be used responsibly.