Dubbo barrister Stephen Lawrence says the NSW Deputy Premier Troy Grant should stop the grandstanding and showboating and fix police numbers and crime rates in Western NSW.
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Mr Grant, the Member for Dubbo, has been slammed over a bill to introduce "crime prevention orders" by the NSW Bar Association, which represents barristers.
The "draconian" proposed powers, the association warns, are "an unprecedented attack on individual freedoms and the rule of law".
It warned the laws could restrict a person's movements for up to five years and "potentially endangers the liberties of tens of thousands of NSW citizens".
Mr Lawrence, a former Labor candidate for Dubbo, said the laws were ridiculous.
"The proposed new laws are stupid because they could easily be struck down by the High Court. The government is aware of that. Troy Grant would be better placed in fighting to increase police numbers in Western NSW and tackle real measures to fight an alarming rise in crime rates. This in the long term is doomed to fail," he said.
Mr Lawrence said it was political grandstanding and out to make headlines.
"Mr Grant is trying to strike the most extreme on law and order to please the big Sydney newspapers and his mates in radio such as Ray Hadley," he said.
The bill was introduced to Parliament in March by Mr Grant.
It allows the Director of Public Prosecutions, NSW Crime Commission or police commissioner to apply to a court for a "serious crime prevention order" against a person or corporation.
In his second reading speech, Mr Grant said the orders could be granted "to prevent, restrict or disrupt involvement by certain persons in serious crime-related activities and terrorism offences".
They could be imposed for up to five years with penalties for a breach of up to five years in jail, a $33,000 fine or both.
A spokeswoman for Mr Grant said the crime prevention orders "are about keeping our community safe".
"The NSW Liberals and Nationals government makes no apology for getting tough on people engaged in serious and organised crime who deal off the misery of others," she said.
The spokeswoman added that an applicant "has to present evidence that satisfies the court that the person the order is sought against is involved in a serious crime-related activity".
She said the powers were a March 2015 election promise announced by then Police Minister Stuart Ayres.
Shadow Attorney-General Paul Lynch said Labor had yet to finalise its position on the bill but was "concerned at the apparent inadequacy of the Attorney-General's role".
