1. Cara Pring Project report STS390, “Media, war and peace” Spring session, 2008 Science, Technology & Society University of Wollongong The report has two parts. 1. A response pack for an actual organisation. This is not an official document and does not necessarily represent the views of the organisation. Cara Pring’s response pack for Campbelltown City Council starts on the next slide. 2. A dialogue between two students discussing the project. This dialogue is fictional. Pseudonyms were used so that the marker, Brian Martin, would not know the identity of student authors. Cara Pring’s dialogue is a separate file.

2. Civil Disorder &

3. Civil disorder overview definition, examples, causes, effects, the future and media involvement The Macquarie Fields riots overview and causes Council’s role and responsibilities Conclusion

4. Any public disturbance involving acts of violence by a group of three or more persons causing immediate danger, damage, or injury to the property or person of another individual. 1

5. Examples of civil disorder 2 : illegal parades sit-ins and other forms of obstructions riots sabotage Recent examples of civil disorder in the Sydney area: Redfern riots 3 (Feb 2004) Macquarie Fields riots 4 (Feb 2005) Cronulla riots 5 (Dec 2005) Macquarie Fields will be the focus today as it happened within the Campbelltown LGA 6

6. Lasted for four nights in the Glenquarie public housing estate in March 05 Sparked by the deaths of two local teenage passengers who died when the stolen car they were riding in crashed after being pursued by police 7 Up to 300 people participated in the protest 8 hurling rocks, bottles, bricks and petrol bombs and setting cars alight – injuring several police 9 Police arrested 59 people (including Jesse Kelly, the driver of the crashed stolen car) and laid 186 charges 10 The riots 11 quickly became a major media and public event 12 The riots had all the characteristics of a civil disorder 13

7. Causes of civil disorder can include: Police brutality 14 Disruption or lack of services 15 Economic problems 16 Oppression 17 Political scandal 18 Sporting events 19 Frustration, resentment and feelings of alienation 20 Socioeconomic factors 21

8. Two arguments: 1. Large pool of criminal-minded youths actively seeking to create trouble 22 2. An expression of frustration, desperation and outrage about prevailing conditions in the area (social alienation, overzealous policing, disadvantage, economic hardship etc) 23

9. Civil disorder can have a range of harmful effects 24 significant disruption to citizen’s lives disruption of infrastructure public utilities such as water, fuel and electricity temporarily unavailable stretches resources of police disrupts and stretches resources of government (incl. local) environmental destruction at site of disorder 25

10. Civil disorders are projected to increase worldwide 26 Australia has a long history of protest, riots and acts of civil disorder 27 Socioeconomic conditions are not set to disappear in the Campbelltown region 28.... Thus we cannot rule out the possibility of further civil disorder in the Campbelltown region 29

11. The media can have a significant influence on civil disorders: Media coverage of disturbances can negatively effect the situation 30 One-sided viewpoint which leads to further social isolation and frustration in affected communities 31 This type of coverage was evident during the Macquarie Fields riots 32 However the media are not always to blame – often just conveying the messages of politicians and other commentators 33 (eg. Councillors, Mayor, Council spokespeople) )

12. What will we do if there is another civil disorder in our region? Maintain constant external communication with other government sections, community organisations, the police, community leaders etc 34 Maintain constant internal communication between Council sections, provide feedback from meetings, or any liaison with members of the community – all information must be given to the GM 35 Make an effort to understand the people who are involved and the alleged cause of their protest 36 Organise meetings with rioting youth (eg. with the Mayor) to discuss grievances and try to diffuse the situation 37

13. Continue the delivery of services to the community as efficiently as possible 38 (avoiding any dangerous areas) Providing constant customer service to the community during periods of disruption Fast and efficient repair to any damaged facilities or infrastructure damaged in the disorder 38 Providing advice or reports to authorities as needed, for example traffic management plans for altered traffic conditions 39

14. Care when dealing with the media! All media enquiries to be sent to Communications and Media, who will consult the GM before responding. NOBODY IS ALLOWED TO SPEAK TO THE MEDIA WITHOUT THE GM’S PERMISSION! 40

15. What is council doing to prevent civil disorder in the future? Influencing housing policy in the region (eg. Minto, Macquarie Fields) 41 Community consultation and liaison that encourages the disclosure of grievances and discussion of relevant issues 42 Range of community programs designed to help disadvantaged members of the community (eg. youth, Aboriginals, struggling parents) 43 Building new sporting and recreational facilities 44 Working with other government departments and lobbying for policies that benefit our community (eg. housing, unemployment, economic) 45

16. There is a distinct possibility that the Campbelltown region could experience another civil disorder in the future Council has an important role to play in both dealing with and preventing such situations Socioeconomic conditions contribute to the problem, and the likelihood of further disorders The most important thing for us to remember is to communicate any relevant information with all managers and the GM and... Never speak to the media without first gaining consent from the GM