Mr STIRLING - 1995-08-22
Following the recent consultancy on kava usage in north-east Arnhem Land undertaken on behalf of the National Food Authority, and the recent conference held in Darwin, can the minister assure the House - and, more importantly, the Aboriginal communities of north-east Arnhem Land - that the government will move to introduce legislation to control kava to ensure that the current lucrative black market is destroyed and that returns from the controlled sale of kava are returned to Aboriginal communities?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, in relation to the conference held recently and the Commonwealth government's investigation, I had the opportunity to meet the parliamentary secretary. I think he intends to report back in about 2 or 3 months time as to the outcome of that inquiry.
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In the meantime, I assure the member for Nhulunbuy that members on this side of the House share his concern about carpetbagging by a small number of people - although any number would be too many - who are making fortunes from the misery of others. This government's detailed policy in regard to how and what controls should be put in place is dependent on the federal government's decision. After all, it holds the reins in the sense of what can and cannot be imported into the country and which substances are registered under the relevant Commonwealth legislation. Thus, I will be in a position to assess this matter some little way down the track. I assure the member that the distribution and availability of kava, and who controls it, will be important ingredients in that assessment.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, in relation to the conference held recently and the Commonwealth government's investigation, I had the opportunity to meet the parliamentary secretary. I think he intends to report back in about 2 or 3 months time as to the outcome of that inquiry.
Page 748
In the meantime, I assure the member for Nhulunbuy that members on this side of the House share his concern about carpetbagging by a small number of people - although any number would be too many - who are making fortunes from the misery of others. This government's detailed policy in regard to how and what controls should be put in place is dependent on the federal government's decision. After all, it holds the reins in the sense of what can and cannot be imported into the country and which substances are registered under the relevant Commonwealth legislation. Thus, I will be in a position to assess this matter some little way down the track. I assure the member that the distribution and availability of kava, and who controls it, will be important ingredients in that assessment.
Page 749
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016