❓ Hon. Sophia Moermond questions whether police resources could be better allocated to more serious matters if adult cannabis use were legalised, citing survey data on public support. The Minister's response highlights increased police funding and recruitment, stating that police apply resources to enforce existing laws.
AnsweredQoN 572Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CANNABIS — LEGALISATION
572. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I
refer to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's Drug
statistics series no 32 . According to the National drug strategy household survey 2019 , more people said that they supported the
legalisation of cannabis than opposed it—that is, 41 per cent compared
with 37 per cent. It was also the first time that the proportion of Australians
who supported cannabis being used regularly by adults was greater than the
proportion who supported regular tobacco smoking—that is, 19.6 per cent
compared with 15.4 per cent.
Are police resources better used in
pursuit of more serious matters if adult use of cannabis were legalised; and,
if not, why not?
572. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I
refer to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's Drug
statistics series no 32 . According to the National drug strategy household survey 2019 , more people said that they supported the
legalisation of cannabis than opposed it—that is, 41 per cent compared
with 37 per cent. It was also the first time that the proportion of Australians
who supported cannabis being used regularly by adults was greater than the
proportion who supported regular tobacco smoking—that is, 19.6 per cent
compared with 15.4 per cent.
Are police resources better used in
pursuit of more serious matters if adult use of cannabis were legalised; and,
if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following information has been provided to me
by the Minister for Police.
The Western Australia Police Force
has more resources than ever before. Last financial year, the McGowan
government provided more than $1.5 billion in funding to the WA Police Force,
and 950 extra police officers—a 15 per cent increase—are being
recruited over four years with more than 350 officers recruited in 2020–21.
Police apply these resources to investigate offences and enforce the laws of Western
Australia.
some notice of the question. The following information has been provided to me
by the Minister for Police.
The Western Australia Police Force
has more resources than ever before. Last financial year, the McGowan
government provided more than $1.5 billion in funding to the WA Police Force,
and 950 extra police officers—a 15 per cent increase—are being
recruited over four years with more than 350 officers recruited in 2020–21.
Police apply these resources to investigate offences and enforce the laws of Western
Australia.
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