❓ Mr. Barnett questions the Premier about funding cuts to the Life Education program despite the ALP's stated commitment to drug education and recent cannabis decriminalisation. The Premier defends the cuts as a necessary measure due to funding constraints and lack of duplication.
AnsweredQoN 1248Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the life education program. I acknowledge the representatives of Rotary in the Speaker’s gallery and thank them for being here today. I regret that Harold the giraffe was not admitted; he is an exemplary giraffe and would have added something to our proceedings. I refer the Premier to the ALP policy on drugs and crime, which states - There needs to be an ongoing process of educating students of all ages, teaching staff and parents. (1) Does the Premier support educating our children about the dangers of drugs? (2) If so, how does the Premier reconcile this support with his Government’s decision to cut $174 000 from the life education preventive health program, which for 16 years has taught students, staff and parents in Western Australian schools about the dangers of drugs, including 34 000 students last financial year alone? (3) Does the Premier recognise the foolishness of cancelling school drug education projects at a time when his Government has just decriminalised the possession and cultivation of cannabis? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1) Yes. (2)-(3) I take members of this House back to Sunday afternoon, when the Minister for Health signed up to the commonwealth-state health agreement. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: On that day the Minister for Health said quite correctly that we would have to cut services in Western Australia. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are soft on drugs. You are increasing drug availability to young people. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Let me answer the question. We said that we would have to cut services. Mr C.J. Barnett: This is about drugs and children. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Minister for Health looked at a range of services in the community that were provided by community organisations and, when there was duplication, made the tough decision to allow one program to work and to cut funding to another. This was a classic case study of that. There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
(2) If so, how does the Premier reconcile this support with his Government’s decision to cut $174 000 from the life education preventive health program, which for 16 years has taught students, staff and parents in Western Australian schools about the dangers of drugs, including 34 000 students last financial year alone? (3) Does the Premier recognise the foolishness of cancelling school drug education projects at a time when his Government has just decriminalised the possession and cultivation of cannabis? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1) Yes. (2)-(3) I take members of this House back to Sunday afternoon, when the Minister for Health signed up to the commonwealth-state health agreement. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: On that day the Minister for Health said quite correctly that we would have to cut services in Western Australia. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are soft on drugs. You are increasing drug availability to young people. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Let me answer the question. We said that we would have to cut services. Mr C.J. Barnett: This is about drugs and children. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Minister for Health looked at a range of services in the community that were provided by community organisations and, when there was duplication, made the tough decision to allow one program to work and to cut funding to another. This was a classic case study of that. There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
(3) Does the Premier recognise the foolishness of cancelling school drug education projects at a time when his Government has just decriminalised the possession and cultivation of cannabis? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1) Yes. (2)-(3) I take members of this House back to Sunday afternoon, when the Minister for Health signed up to the commonwealth-state health agreement. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: On that day the Minister for Health said quite correctly that we would have to cut services in Western Australia. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are soft on drugs. You are increasing drug availability to young people. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Let me answer the question. We said that we would have to cut services. Mr C.J. Barnett: This is about drugs and children. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Minister for Health looked at a range of services in the community that were provided by community organisations and, when there was duplication, made the tough decision to allow one program to work and to cut funding to another. This was a classic case study of that. There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1) Yes. (2)-(3) I take members of this House back to Sunday afternoon, when the Minister for Health signed up to the commonwealth-state health agreement. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: On that day the Minister for Health said quite correctly that we would have to cut services in Western Australia. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are soft on drugs. You are increasing drug availability to young people. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Let me answer the question. We said that we would have to cut services. Mr C.J. Barnett: This is about drugs and children. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Minister for Health looked at a range of services in the community that were provided by community organisations and, when there was duplication, made the tough decision to allow one program to work and to cut funding to another. This was a classic case study of that. There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
(1) Yes. (2)-(3) I take members of this House back to Sunday afternoon, when the Minister for Health signed up to the commonwealth-state health agreement. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: On that day the Minister for Health said quite correctly that we would have to cut services in Western Australia. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are soft on drugs. You are increasing drug availability to young people. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Let me answer the question. We said that we would have to cut services. Mr C.J. Barnett: This is about drugs and children. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Minister for Health looked at a range of services in the community that were provided by community organisations and, when there was duplication, made the tough decision to allow one program to work and to cut funding to another. This was a classic case study of that. There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
(2)-(3) I take members of this House back to Sunday afternoon, when the Minister for Health signed up to the commonwealth-state health agreement. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: On that day the Minister for Health said quite correctly that we would have to cut services in Western Australia. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are soft on drugs. You are increasing drug availability to young people. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Let me answer the question. We said that we would have to cut services. Mr C.J. Barnett: This is about drugs and children. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Minister for Health looked at a range of services in the community that were provided by community organisations and, when there was duplication, made the tough decision to allow one program to work and to cut funding to another. This was a classic case study of that. There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: On that day the Minister for Health said quite correctly that we would have to cut services in Western Australia. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are soft on drugs. You are increasing drug availability to young people. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Let me answer the question. We said that we would have to cut services. Mr C.J. Barnett: This is about drugs and children. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Minister for Health looked at a range of services in the community that were provided by community organisations and, when there was duplication, made the tough decision to allow one program to work and to cut funding to another. This was a classic case study of that. There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: On that day the Minister for Health said quite correctly that we would have to cut services in Western Australia. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are soft on drugs. You are increasing drug availability to young people. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Let me answer the question. We said that we would have to cut services. Mr C.J. Barnett: This is about drugs and children. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Minister for Health looked at a range of services in the community that were provided by community organisations and, when there was duplication, made the tough decision to allow one program to work and to cut funding to another. This was a classic case study of that. There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
Mr C.J. Barnett: You are soft on drugs. You are increasing drug availability to young people. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Let me answer the question. We said that we would have to cut services. Mr C.J. Barnett: This is about drugs and children. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Minister for Health looked at a range of services in the community that were provided by community organisations and, when there was duplication, made the tough decision to allow one program to work and to cut funding to another. This was a classic case study of that. There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: Let me answer the question. We said that we would have to cut services. Mr C.J. Barnett: This is about drugs and children. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Minister for Health looked at a range of services in the community that were provided by community organisations and, when there was duplication, made the tough decision to allow one program to work and to cut funding to another. This was a classic case study of that. There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
Mr C.J. Barnett: This is about drugs and children. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Minister for Health looked at a range of services in the community that were provided by community organisations and, when there was duplication, made the tough decision to allow one program to work and to cut funding to another. This was a classic case study of that. There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Minister for Health looked at a range of services in the community that were provided by community organisations and, when there was duplication, made the tough decision to allow one program to work and to cut funding to another. This was a classic case study of that. There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
(2) If so, how does the Premier reconcile this support with his Government’s decision to cut $174 000 from the life education preventive health program, which for 16 years has taught students, staff and parents in Western Australian schools about the dangers of drugs, including 34 000 students last financial year alone? (3) Does the Premier recognise the foolishness of cancelling school drug education projects at a time when his Government has just decriminalised the possession and cultivation of cannabis? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1) Yes. (2)-(3) I take members of this House back to Sunday afternoon, when the Minister for Health signed up to the commonwealth-state health agreement. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: On that day the Minister for Health said quite correctly that we would have to cut services in Western Australia. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are soft on drugs. You are increasing drug availability to young people. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Let me answer the question. We said that we would have to cut services. Mr C.J. Barnett: This is about drugs and children. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Minister for Health looked at a range of services in the community that were provided by community organisations and, when there was duplication, made the tough decision to allow one program to work and to cut funding to another. This was a classic case study of that. There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
(3) Does the Premier recognise the foolishness of cancelling school drug education projects at a time when his Government has just decriminalised the possession and cultivation of cannabis? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1) Yes. (2)-(3) I take members of this House back to Sunday afternoon, when the Minister for Health signed up to the commonwealth-state health agreement. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: On that day the Minister for Health said quite correctly that we would have to cut services in Western Australia. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are soft on drugs. You are increasing drug availability to young people. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Let me answer the question. We said that we would have to cut services. Mr C.J. Barnett: This is about drugs and children. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Minister for Health looked at a range of services in the community that were provided by community organisations and, when there was duplication, made the tough decision to allow one program to work and to cut funding to another. This was a classic case study of that. There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1) Yes. (2)-(3) I take members of this House back to Sunday afternoon, when the Minister for Health signed up to the commonwealth-state health agreement. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: On that day the Minister for Health said quite correctly that we would have to cut services in Western Australia. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are soft on drugs. You are increasing drug availability to young people. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Let me answer the question. We said that we would have to cut services. Mr C.J. Barnett: This is about drugs and children. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Minister for Health looked at a range of services in the community that were provided by community organisations and, when there was duplication, made the tough decision to allow one program to work and to cut funding to another. This was a classic case study of that. There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
(1) Yes. (2)-(3) I take members of this House back to Sunday afternoon, when the Minister for Health signed up to the commonwealth-state health agreement. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: On that day the Minister for Health said quite correctly that we would have to cut services in Western Australia. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are soft on drugs. You are increasing drug availability to young people. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Let me answer the question. We said that we would have to cut services. Mr C.J. Barnett: This is about drugs and children. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Minister for Health looked at a range of services in the community that were provided by community organisations and, when there was duplication, made the tough decision to allow one program to work and to cut funding to another. This was a classic case study of that. There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
(2)-(3) I take members of this House back to Sunday afternoon, when the Minister for Health signed up to the commonwealth-state health agreement. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: On that day the Minister for Health said quite correctly that we would have to cut services in Western Australia. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are soft on drugs. You are increasing drug availability to young people. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Let me answer the question. We said that we would have to cut services. Mr C.J. Barnett: This is about drugs and children. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Minister for Health looked at a range of services in the community that were provided by community organisations and, when there was duplication, made the tough decision to allow one program to work and to cut funding to another. This was a classic case study of that. There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: On that day the Minister for Health said quite correctly that we would have to cut services in Western Australia. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are soft on drugs. You are increasing drug availability to young people. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Let me answer the question. We said that we would have to cut services. Mr C.J. Barnett: This is about drugs and children. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Minister for Health looked at a range of services in the community that were provided by community organisations and, when there was duplication, made the tough decision to allow one program to work and to cut funding to another. This was a classic case study of that. There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: On that day the Minister for Health said quite correctly that we would have to cut services in Western Australia. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are soft on drugs. You are increasing drug availability to young people. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Let me answer the question. We said that we would have to cut services. Mr C.J. Barnett: This is about drugs and children. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Minister for Health looked at a range of services in the community that were provided by community organisations and, when there was duplication, made the tough decision to allow one program to work and to cut funding to another. This was a classic case study of that. There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
Mr C.J. Barnett: You are soft on drugs. You are increasing drug availability to young people. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Let me answer the question. We said that we would have to cut services. Mr C.J. Barnett: This is about drugs and children. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Minister for Health looked at a range of services in the community that were provided by community organisations and, when there was duplication, made the tough decision to allow one program to work and to cut funding to another. This was a classic case study of that. There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: Let me answer the question. We said that we would have to cut services. Mr C.J. Barnett: This is about drugs and children. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Minister for Health looked at a range of services in the community that were provided by community organisations and, when there was duplication, made the tough decision to allow one program to work and to cut funding to another. This was a classic case study of that. There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
Mr C.J. Barnett: This is about drugs and children. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Minister for Health looked at a range of services in the community that were provided by community organisations and, when there was duplication, made the tough decision to allow one program to work and to cut funding to another. This was a classic case study of that. There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Minister for Health looked at a range of services in the community that were provided by community organisations and, when there was duplication, made the tough decision to allow one program to work and to cut funding to another. This was a classic case study of that. There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
There is an antidrug program within our education system. The life education program had been reviewed by the Department of Health and a recommendation was made to cut the funding to that program. In the light of the difficulties that the Government has in meeting all the demands that are being placed on our health system currently, which difficulties have mostly been caused by the failure of the Commonwealth Government to give us a proper deal through the commonwealth-state agreement, we had to make a tough decision, and that tough decision has been made. That tough decision is in no way a reflection of our position on the importance of taking an antidrug message into our community and into our schools. Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
Indeed, I might take up the interjection of the Leader of the Opposition. The legislation that we have passed through the Parliament puts us in a much better position to deal with drug abuse in our community than did the stupid policy that existed previously in this State.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.