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 < Back Mace belongs in Parliament, Not the Court House February 19th 2003 - NSW Democrat MLC, Dr Arthur Chesterfield-Evans, has accused the Premier of risking innocent lives by allowing Capsicum Spray (commonly known as Mace) to be carried by NSW Court Officers. "It is an indisputable fact that mace can have a fatal consequence if sprayed on people suffering with asthma or other respiratory diseases and the aged," said Dr Chesterfield-Evans. "In the close confines of a Court Room, mace will inevitably be inhaled by not only the accused or a potential offender, but by witnesses, Court Officers and the public. "United States studies prove that mace does not completely subdue an attacker and over 60 deaths have been attributed to the legitimate, as well as misuse and abuse of capsicum spray in the United States. 1 "U.K. Police do not use mace because it is potentially carcinogenic. 2 "The Westminster system demands the separation of powers. The symbol of Parliament is the Speakers Mace. "Bob Carr should not confuse parliamentary authority with political opportunism," Dr Chesterfield-Evans said. Footnotes: 1.Capsicum Spray-The Record to Date, Research Note, Dept of the Parliamentary Library, No 19. 2. Ibid |
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updated:
August 14, 2003
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