Legal and Social Issues Committee: reference

The question put

That this house: (1) notes: (a) recent increases in violent crimes, particularly knife attacks in public places, increases in residential aggravated burglaries, and significant increases in aggravated assaults of females; (b) the blame for these crimes rests solely with the perpetrators, not the victims; (c) that the innate ability to deter and defend against attacks varies, with women and the elderly generally being more vulnerable; (d) that capsicum spray can assist with deterrence and self-defence, particularly for the vulnerable; (e) the use of capsicum spray is generally nonlethal and only requires minimal training; (f) that capsicum spray is unlikely to be used in criminal attacks; (g) that stores in Western Australia where these products are legal have seen increased sales in recent months; (h) a petition started by Victorian woman Jayde Howard to legalise capsicum spray for self-defence has gathered nearly 15,000 signatures; and (2) requires the Legal and Social Issues Committee to inquire into, consider and report, by March 2026, on permitting the use of capsicum spray for personal defence, including any issues related to amending schedule 2 of the Control of Weapons Regul