“We appreciate that the Government or the defendant may well appeal the decision but Magistrate Millard has highlighted a key issue,” Shadow Attorney-General Stephen Wade said.

 

“While granting a targeted order to prevent serious criminal activity, the Magistrate rejected a broad-brush order banning the defendant from all licensed venues anywhere in the State.”

 

“The Opposition’s longstanding concern with the Labor Government’s tough on crime talk is that it is a scatter-gun approach which risks affecting the rights of law-abiding South Australians while not dealing effectively with criminal gangs in our community,” Mr Wade said.

 

“The magistrate showed that he sees the value of a balanced approach. He granted the targeted order and rejected the scatter-gun.

 

Brown is the first person in SA legal history to be subject to an order made under section 14(2) of the Serious and Organised Crime (Control) Act 2008.

 

The legislation has had a chequered history: last year, another section of the Act – which required courts to impose control orders on police request without hearing any evidence – was ruled unconstitutional by the High Court.

 

“South Australians are tired of the Labor Government making laws in order to chase a headline,” Mr Wade said.

 

“South Australians demand real action to reduce crime.”