Member for Namatjira Bill Yan: Brent Potter, Lia Finocchiaro clash over NT spit hood debate

Spit hoods are back in the conversation after the CLP confirmed it would seek to reintroduce the controversial device, drawing the criticism of Police Minister Brent Potter.

Bill Yan MLA MEMBER FOR NAMATJIRA Photograph: Che Chorley

Spit hoods may return under a CLP government, a senior member confirmed, amid the opposition’s pledge to protect the “worker” over the offender”.

Intended to prevent a person from biting or spitting, spit hoods – or spit masks – have drawn the criticism of various activist groups and organisations, including the Australian Human Rights Commission.

On Monday, however, former corrections officer and Member for Namatjira, Bill Yan, said the CLP would seek to reintroduce the device if elected.

“(Spit hoods) provide safety for those officers who are dealing with people who are actively spitting on them, we would also bring it back to youth detention for those officers where they are having the same issues.”

Mr Yan said it was “hard to explain” the experience of being spat on and confirmed he knew staff had waited “up to three months” for their tests after being exposed to the fluids of offenders.

“(We) have to put the rights of the worker over the rights of the offender and it’s not right to be spat on, there’s nothing more horrendous and more vile (than) being spat on.”

Examples of situations when staff used spit hoods on young people detained in the Adelaide Youth Training Centre. Photo: Supplied.

The comments come after opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro last week described the government’s removal of spit hoods as an example of “ideology over practical outcomes”.

“Labor (have) shown that they believe in ideology over practical outcomes and keeping people safe and I think one really good example to evidence that is the fact that Labor took away spit hoods from police – they’d much prefer that offenders have the right not to have a spit hood than our police have the right to be safe from people who spit blood and phlegm in their face.”

Police Minister Brent Potter said there were “alternatives” to spit hoods.

“Officer welfare and protecting Territorians is my upmost priority, I am kept up to date with all assaults on officers, including spitting,” he said.

“The CLP per usual are dangerously making decisions against years’ worth of research and evidence, there are alternatives to spit-hoods on youths currently in use throughout watch houses being ignored by the opposition.”

Police Minister Brent Potter said there were “alternatives” to spit hoods. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Mr Potter said there was “overwhelming evidence” presented against spit hoods.

“The Territory Government has banned spit hoods in our youth detention centres and banned the use of spit hoods on young people in police watch houses following an internal review and a Royal Commission which presented overwhelming evidence against the use of spit-hoods on children,” he said.

“Spit guards can still be used on adults with mandatory reporting needed when they are used.”

Mr Potter maintained greater powers had already been afforded to police.

“As Minister for Police, I have taken a hard-line approach to crime and anti-social behaviour by forming the Territory Safety Division which will be rostered by 50 officers, and provided police more powers than ever before, some include 7 day (banned drinker orders), paperless arrests and wanding powers,” he said.

“Our Government also increased the penalties for spitting on front line workers to now carry a jail term of up to 10 years – that’s how we are protecting our frontline workers.”