Law Association warns move-on bill could criminalise sleeping rough

The Law Association's Criminal Law Committee has told a parliamentary select committee the Summary Offences (Move-On Orders) Amendment Bill should not "unfairly criminalise what is currently non-criminal behaviour." Convener Julie-Anne Kincade KC said lying in a sleeping bag should not be caught, unlike aggressive or disruptive conduct. The bill, giving police powers to move people begging or rough sleeping, remains at select committee stage.