❓ Hon. Neil Thomson questions the government's response to rising needle and syringe distribution in the Kimberley, associated littering, and potential actions against opposition free speech regarding the issue. The government outlines existing safe disposal measures and support for Broome.
AnsweredQoN 1253Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
FITPACKS — NEEDLE AND SYRINGE PROGRAM
1253. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to question without notice
1201 regarding the Premier's response to media questions about concerns
about the scale of needles in Broome, and the answer provided by the Leader of the
House in which she said, in part —
Unlike members of the Liberal Party,
who have spread misinformation related to WA Health's Kimberley needle
and syringe program �
(1) Is the
government going to do anything new to address the genuine level of community
concern about the rising number of fitpacks being distributed in the Kimberley,
which points to rising drug use and is resulting in increasing and dangerous
littering, impacting on children who use our parks and public spaces?
(2) Has the
Premier spoken directly to the member for Kimberley about this specific issue;
and, if yes, what are the actions being planned as a result?
(3) If the
federal government is successful in its efforts to pass laws regarding
misinformation, will the Labor Party look to take action to suppress the free
speech of opposition parliamentarians, like those in the Liberal Party who
raised legitimate concerns that were brought to them by health professionals
and others in order to improve its own image?
Hon Sue Ellery :
Are you asking us to do that?
Hon NEIL
THOMSON : I am asking if the government is going to do it.
The PRESIDENT :
The parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health.
Hon Neil
Thomson interjected.
The PRESIDENT :
Order! The parliamentary secretary is about to provide an answer.
1253. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to question without notice
1201 regarding the Premier's response to media questions about concerns
about the scale of needles in Broome, and the answer provided by the Leader of the
House in which she said, in part —
Unlike members of the Liberal Party,
who have spread misinformation related to WA Health's Kimberley needle
and syringe program �
(1) Is the
government going to do anything new to address the genuine level of community
concern about the rising number of fitpacks being distributed in the Kimberley,
which points to rising drug use and is resulting in increasing and dangerous
littering, impacting on children who use our parks and public spaces?
(2) Has the
Premier spoken directly to the member for Kimberley about this specific issue;
and, if yes, what are the actions being planned as a result?
(3) If the
federal government is successful in its efforts to pass laws regarding
misinformation, will the Labor Party look to take action to suppress the free
speech of opposition parliamentarians, like those in the Liberal Party who
raised legitimate concerns that were brought to them by health professionals
and others in order to improve its own image?
Hon Sue Ellery :
Are you asking us to do that?
Hon NEIL
THOMSON : I am asking if the government is going to do it.
The PRESIDENT :
The parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health.
Hon Neil
Thomson interjected.
The PRESIDENT :
Order! The parliamentary secretary is about to provide an answer.
AnswerView source ↗
Again, I thank the honourable member
for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided by the
Minister for Health.
(1)–(3) It
is a requirement that all needles and syringes distributed in Western Australia
are provided with a safe disposal container.
Prepackaged needles and syringe packs include a disposable receptacle and are labelled
with safe disposal information. Broome is now receiving support from the
Pilbara needle and syringe exchange program to support the establishment of a more
comprehensive service. The Shire of Broome has also been offered 10 additional
needle and syringe disposal units for installation in public amenities. The
state government remains committed to working with stakeholders on this matter.
for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided by the
Minister for Health.
(1)–(3) It
is a requirement that all needles and syringes distributed in Western Australia
are provided with a safe disposal container.
Prepackaged needles and syringe packs include a disposable receptacle and are labelled
with safe disposal information. Broome is now receiving support from the
Pilbara needle and syringe exchange program to support the establishment of a more
comprehensive service. The Shire of Broome has also been offered 10 additional
needle and syringe disposal units for installation in public amenities. The
state government remains committed to working with stakeholders on this matter.
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