Mr EDE - 1994-12-01
Mr Speaker, the government's refusal to implement a methadone program was criticised in the courts recently, and the minister's own departmental report, prepared by Dr Elizabeth Chalmers, recommended the introduction of a methadone program as a matter of urgency. The minister's response is that he believes the introduction of a methadone program would bring large numbers of drug addicts to the Territory. In last night's adjournment debate, the minister failed to acknowledge that, in the main, medical opinion favours methadone treatment. Does the minister still stand by his ridiculous remarks? If so, what evidence does he have for making them? If not, will he concede that his position is based on perceived political populism and has nothing at all to do with good government?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, there are a few 'gimmes' here today. Members opposite know very well what the government's position is on this matter. It is not my view - it is a government view. It is wrong for the opposition to say that we have no position in relation to methadone because we do, and the government's policy is not to have a methadone program in the Northern Territory. I will respond to the particular points to which the Leader of the Opposition alluded. Firstly, where did I get the idea that heroin addicts would be attracted to the Northern Territory if we had a methadone program? I got that from the drug addicts who themselves telephone my office ...
Mr Ede: Come on!
Mr REED: The Leader of the Opposition may interject. He has never been in government and he does not know.
Mr Ede: Do interstate drug addicts telephone asking for a methadone program so that they can come to the Territory?
Mr REED: He does not want to listen, but I receive telephone calls in my office from interstate drug addicts complaining that the Northern Territory does not have a methadone program and that, as a consequence, they cannot move to the Northern Territory. That is a plus for the Northern Territory. I have no problem with that. According to the people concerned, the policy states the Territory's position clearly. Where else do I get it from? The methadone clinic in Perth and the methadone clinics in Sydney that I visited. On each occasion, they raised the matter with me and told me that many people who attend their clinics say that they cannot go to the Northern Territory because of their drug addiction and their inability to avail themselves of a methadone program in the Northern Territory. That is a great shame for the Northern Territory!
We are here to protect Territorians. There is a fundamental difference between this government and the opposition. This government puts in place policies that address the
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needs and wishes of Territorians. That is why we are on this side of the House and they are on that side of the House.
Mr Ede: That is where you are wrong. There are drug addicts here. Will you concede that?
Mr REED: Don't you want to listen? The difference between where we are coming from and where the Leader of the Opposition is coming from is that he is attempting to impose federal Labor policy on Territorians, but we are imposing the wishes of Territorians on Territorians. We are taking their concerns into account. Every time I speak on radio about this issue, I receive telephone calls to my offices in Katherine and Darwin in support of the government's policy.
I do not want to be in a position where the Northern Territory government is funding a methadone program. What kind of message would that send to children? The message it would send to children is that they might be attracted by some drug seller to take up drugs and, if they have some difficulty in obtaining their heroin fix in the future, the government-funded program will support them. The government would be providing a crutch. We are about providing very clear messages to young Territorians and indeed all Territorians - if they take up a drug habit, they will have problems. Society draws barriers and we all have to live with them. Does the Leader of the Opposition want me to place alcoholics on whisky drips at Royal Darwin Hospital? What does he expect to be done? Would he give free Johnny Walker to every alcoholic who telephones my office saying that they have a problem and cannot buy a bottle today? What kind of a program would he put in place? He is a joke!
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, there are a few 'gimmes' here today. Members opposite know very well what the government's position is on this matter. It is not my view - it is a government view. It is wrong for the opposition to say that we have no position in relation to methadone because we do, and the government's policy is not to have a methadone program in the Northern Territory. I will respond to the particular points to which the Leader of the Opposition alluded. Firstly, where did I get the idea that heroin addicts would be attracted to the Northern Territory if we had a methadone program? I got that from the drug addicts who themselves telephone my office ...
Mr Ede: Come on!
Mr REED: The Leader of the Opposition may interject. He has never been in government and he does not know.
Mr Ede: Do interstate drug addicts telephone asking for a methadone program so that they can come to the Territory?
Mr REED: He does not want to listen, but I receive telephone calls in my office from interstate drug addicts complaining that the Northern Territory does not have a methadone program and that, as a consequence, they cannot move to the Northern Territory. That is a plus for the Northern Territory. I have no problem with that. According to the people concerned, the policy states the Territory's position clearly. Where else do I get it from? The methadone clinic in Perth and the methadone clinics in Sydney that I visited. On each occasion, they raised the matter with me and told me that many people who attend their clinics say that they cannot go to the Northern Territory because of their drug addiction and their inability to avail themselves of a methadone program in the Northern Territory. That is a great shame for the Northern Territory!
We are here to protect Territorians. There is a fundamental difference between this government and the opposition. This government puts in place policies that address the
Page 371
needs and wishes of Territorians. That is why we are on this side of the House and they are on that side of the House.
Mr Ede: That is where you are wrong. There are drug addicts here. Will you concede that?
Mr REED: Don't you want to listen? The difference between where we are coming from and where the Leader of the Opposition is coming from is that he is attempting to impose federal Labor policy on Territorians, but we are imposing the wishes of Territorians on Territorians. We are taking their concerns into account. Every time I speak on radio about this issue, I receive telephone calls to my offices in Katherine and Darwin in support of the government's policy.
I do not want to be in a position where the Northern Territory government is funding a methadone program. What kind of message would that send to children? The message it would send to children is that they might be attracted by some drug seller to take up drugs and, if they have some difficulty in obtaining their heroin fix in the future, the government-funded program will support them. The government would be providing a crutch. We are about providing very clear messages to young Territorians and indeed all Territorians - if they take up a drug habit, they will have problems. Society draws barriers and we all have to live with them. Does the Leader of the Opposition want me to place alcoholics on whisky drips at Royal Darwin Hospital? What does he expect to be done? Would he give free Johnny Walker to every alcoholic who telephones my office saying that they have a problem and cannot buy a bottle today? What kind of a program would he put in place? He is a joke!
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016