Dr BURNS - 2002-03-07
In the face of opposition expressed by the CLP opposition and organisers of the drug rally at parliament today, will the government continue in its development of anti-drug house legislation and other anti-drug laws?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Johnston for his question, because it gives me an opportunity to make some timely remarks about this. I will start my answer by posing a question: what does the Top End Users Alliance, the Socialist Alliance and the CLP have in common? The answer might be that they are all against our drug house laws and the other drug laws that we intend to pursue with maximum energy through this House.
We will pursue this reform with maximum energy through this House. I would like to hear from those opposite during the debate that will be following on this legislation …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! I cannot hear the minister at all. Order! No one can hear. Both sides settle down! Minister, would you continue.
Dr TOYNE: I would like to hear from those opposite during the debates that will follow when we bring in this legislation. Why don’t they want to pursue drug dealers and manufacturers in the Territory? Why do we want to keep laws on the books that make these drugs illegal, and then not enforce those laws effectively? Why do we want to ignore the enormous damage that is done to our community by drug use? Are we going to plan a future for the Northern Territory that involves the toleration of these practices in our community, or are we going to make a stand?
Well, I know what we are going to do on this side. Our three point plan says it all. I quote:
The issue is simple. If government wants to reduce property crime in the Territory you must deal at all levels with the
intravenous drug use problem and hard drugs.
Unlike the former government who claimed that the drug-related crime in the Northern Territory is ‘minuscule’, we are not going to ignore this problem.
As members know, a comprehensive legislative package is being developed for the May sittings. That package will provide the basis for an attack against drug dealers and manufacturers at all points where they are vulnerable. That includes better search and arrest powers to allow police to move against dealers and manufacturers; it involves expanded proceeds of crime provisions; it involves new money laundering offences and it involves offences targeting drug manufacturers working in clandestine labs to make amphetamines.
Madam Speaker, we have to get after these people and if the opposition cannot see the reason why this needs to be done in our community, they are not serving the interests of Territorians well.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Johnston for his question, because it gives me an opportunity to make some timely remarks about this. I will start my answer by posing a question: what does the Top End Users Alliance, the Socialist Alliance and the CLP have in common? The answer might be that they are all against our drug house laws and the other drug laws that we intend to pursue with maximum energy through this House.
We will pursue this reform with maximum energy through this House. I would like to hear from those opposite during the debate that will be following on this legislation …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! I cannot hear the minister at all. Order! No one can hear. Both sides settle down! Minister, would you continue.
Dr TOYNE: I would like to hear from those opposite during the debates that will follow when we bring in this legislation. Why don’t they want to pursue drug dealers and manufacturers in the Territory? Why do we want to keep laws on the books that make these drugs illegal, and then not enforce those laws effectively? Why do we want to ignore the enormous damage that is done to our community by drug use? Are we going to plan a future for the Northern Territory that involves the toleration of these practices in our community, or are we going to make a stand?
Well, I know what we are going to do on this side. Our three point plan says it all. I quote:
The issue is simple. If government wants to reduce property crime in the Territory you must deal at all levels with the
intravenous drug use problem and hard drugs.
Unlike the former government who claimed that the drug-related crime in the Northern Territory is ‘minuscule’, we are not going to ignore this problem.
As members know, a comprehensive legislative package is being developed for the May sittings. That package will provide the basis for an attack against drug dealers and manufacturers at all points where they are vulnerable. That includes better search and arrest powers to allow police to move against dealers and manufacturers; it involves expanded proceeds of crime provisions; it involves new money laundering offences and it involves offences targeting drug manufacturers working in clandestine labs to make amphetamines.
Madam Speaker, we have to get after these people and if the opposition cannot see the reason why this needs to be done in our community, they are not serving the interests of Territorians well.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016