Mr BURKE - 2002-05-16
The government has made much of its supposed tough stance on drugs, and your drug task force to advise you on future actions is due to report to you this month. Earlier in these sittings, you outlined some discussions you have had with the task force already. Could you tell us how you plan to address the attitude that some in the community hold that use of marijuana is not a major crime and is the same as having a glass of wine or whiskey, and is this an attitude that you agree with?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, as someone who is almost a teetotaller and never smoked cigarettes or used any other kind of drugs, this is a very curious question coming to me. This whole issue of drugs is something which this government is taking very seriously. The whole range of illicit drugs is something which we have acknowledged but, once again, the opposition, when in government, said this was a minuscule problem.
In relation to the use of cannabis, I believe cannabis is a very serious illicit drug, particularly the kind of cannabis that appears to be on the market at the moment, commonly called skunk. It is a very serious drug; it is grown hydroponically and it seems to have a much more psychotic effect on the people who use it. It is particularly of a concern in remote communities, in Aboriginal communities, and we believe that there is a very close link with the use of this drug in relation to youth suicide, and petrol sniffing and misuse of alcohol. It is a very serious issue and it is going to be looked at by the select committee of parliament. In relation to whether or not that should be decriminalised, I would have to say I absolutely do not believe it should be decriminalised, and there is absolutely no suggestion that anything like that would be presented to this House at any stage.
In relation to the task force itself, a report is being prepared for me which will be with me by 30 May, and after that will be considered by Cabinet.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, as someone who is almost a teetotaller and never smoked cigarettes or used any other kind of drugs, this is a very curious question coming to me. This whole issue of drugs is something which this government is taking very seriously. The whole range of illicit drugs is something which we have acknowledged but, once again, the opposition, when in government, said this was a minuscule problem.
In relation to the use of cannabis, I believe cannabis is a very serious illicit drug, particularly the kind of cannabis that appears to be on the market at the moment, commonly called skunk. It is a very serious drug; it is grown hydroponically and it seems to have a much more psychotic effect on the people who use it. It is particularly of a concern in remote communities, in Aboriginal communities, and we believe that there is a very close link with the use of this drug in relation to youth suicide, and petrol sniffing and misuse of alcohol. It is a very serious issue and it is going to be looked at by the select committee of parliament. In relation to whether or not that should be decriminalised, I would have to say I absolutely do not believe it should be decriminalised, and there is absolutely no suggestion that anything like that would be presented to this House at any stage.
In relation to the task force itself, a report is being prepared for me which will be with me by 30 May, and after that will be considered by Cabinet.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016