❓ Mr Birney questions the Premier about the link between cannabis decriminalisation in South Australia and organised crime, particularly outlaw motorcycle gangs. The Premier defends the government's approach, citing the Community Drug Summit and ongoing reviews, while accusing the opposition of politicising the issue.
AnsweredQoN 771Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CANNABIS, DECRIMINALISATION
I refer to the Premier’s statement on 6 March last year that drug traffickers, outlaw motorcycle gangs and others associated with organised crime would be hit hard by tough new laws to be introduced into State Parliament. (1) Is the Premier aware that evidence from the South Australian police, the National Crime Authority and the Australian Bureau of Criminal Intelligence shows that as a result of the decriminalisation of cannabis, outlaw motorcycle gangs are now involved in the commercial cultivation of marijuana in South Australia? (2) Is the Premier also aware that these gangs are using cannabis as currency to import harder drugs into South Australia, particularly heroin and amphetamines? (3) Why, through its decriminalisation of the cultivation of cannabis, is the Labor Party providing a vehicle for bikie gangs and other organised crime groups to become further involved in the syndicated cultivation and sale of drugs? Dr GALLOP
I refer to the Premier’s statement on 6 March last year that drug traffickers, outlaw motorcycle gangs and others associated with organised crime would be hit hard by tough new laws to be introduced into State Parliament. (1) Is the Premier aware that evidence from the South Australian police, the National Crime Authority and the Australian Bureau of Criminal Intelligence shows that as a result of the decriminalisation of cannabis, outlaw motorcycle gangs are now involved in the commercial cultivation of marijuana in South Australia? (2) Is the Premier also aware that these gangs are using cannabis as currency to import harder drugs into South Australia, particularly heroin and amphetamines? (3) Why, through its decriminalisation of the cultivation of cannabis, is the Labor Party providing a vehicle for bikie gangs and other organised crime groups to become further involved in the syndicated cultivation and sale of drugs? Dr GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) That question demeans even the member for Kalgoorlie. I am aware the Community Drug Summit was held. I congratulate everyone involved in that summit because it was an example of innovative politics in Western Australia. Members of the community came into this Chamber and all of the political parties stayed out of the process. The members of the summit closely examined very contentious issues and came up with a range of recommendations, all of which the Government supported bar one. The implementation of one of those recommendations relating to cannabis required some further work. Our views on this issue were formed on the basis of the recommendations of the Drug Summit, not party political prejudice. Members of the Drug Summit represented people from all parts of the community. Following that summit, the Minister for Health set up a working group that considered the experience of South Australia, and that group will take on board the South Australian experience when it makes its recommendations. Does the member agree - Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No, under the conventions of Parliament the member cannot stand up. Is the member not willing to answer my question? We read statistics in our paper, based upon reputable research, that tragically many very young people in our society are using cannabis. I ask the member for Kalgoorlie whether he thinks that all of those youngsters should be subject to the criminal law? Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No. Should they be subject to the criminal law? Members opposite will not answer that question. The Drug Summit showed us that there is a different way to tackle this issue. To the previous Government’s credit, it introduced a cautioning system, which is a good policy. We are taking that and the advice from the Drug Summit on board. This Government will work effectively on this problem in our society. For the Government to work effectively on the problem, young people must be involved. If they are to work with us, it will not help if we demand that the full force of the criminal law be used against them. I will directly answer the member’s question. Firstly, I am aware of the Drug Summit and its recommendations; secondly, I am aware of what the Government is doing about the implementation of the summit’s recommendations; and, thirdly, the Government of Western Australia will continue to take a very strong line against drug traffickers. The member for Kalgoorlie might note that the Government has introduced legislation into this Parliament to give the police more powers to deal with organised crime, to which the member referred in his question. The shadow Minister for Health, who has been silent on this issue, should talk to the Leader of the Opposition, the opposition police spokesperson and Hon Simon O’Brien and knock some sense into them. They are trying to politicise a serious issue. This Government depoliticised the issue by setting up the Drug Summit. Let us work as a community to solve this problem. The shadow Minister for Health could play a role in that by knocking some sense into his colleagues. Over the years, the National Party has shown common sense on this issue. Let us work as a community and do a few things instead of playing politics. People are sick and tired of politicians playing politics; they want solutions to problems, which is why we are tackling these tough issues. We are not backing away from the issue because we were elected to make a difference. When Governments want to make a difference in society, they must take on a few vested interests, and this Government is willing to do it. The Opposition has its head in the sand and that hole in the sand goes backwards. We will properly deal with this issue, just as the Minister for Health has done by referring it to the John Prior committee. I know the National Party will take this issue seriously because it always has. However, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are incapable of addressing any issue. They cannot do it. They are so hell-bent on introducing party politics into serious issues that they are irrelevant.
(1) Is the Premier aware that evidence from the South Australian police, the National Crime Authority and the Australian Bureau of Criminal Intelligence shows that as a result of the decriminalisation of cannabis, outlaw motorcycle gangs are now involved in the commercial cultivation of marijuana in South Australia? (2) Is the Premier also aware that these gangs are using cannabis as currency to import harder drugs into South Australia, particularly heroin and amphetamines? (3) Why, through its decriminalisation of the cultivation of cannabis, is the Labor Party providing a vehicle for bikie gangs and other organised crime groups to become further involved in the syndicated cultivation and sale of drugs? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) That question demeans even the member for Kalgoorlie. I am aware the Community Drug Summit was held. I congratulate everyone involved in that summit because it was an example of innovative politics in Western Australia. Members of the community came into this Chamber and all of the political parties stayed out of the process. The members of the summit closely examined very contentious issues and came up with a range of recommendations, all of which the Government supported bar one. The implementation of one of those recommendations relating to cannabis required some further work. Our views on this issue were formed on the basis of the recommendations of the Drug Summit, not party political prejudice. Members of the Drug Summit represented people from all parts of the community. Following that summit, the Minister for Health set up a working group that considered the experience of South Australia, and that group will take on board the South Australian experience when it makes its recommendations. Does the member agree - Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No, under the conventions of Parliament the member cannot stand up. Is the member not willing to answer my question? We read statistics in our paper, based upon reputable research, that tragically many very young people in our society are using cannabis. I ask the member for Kalgoorlie whether he thinks that all of those youngsters should be subject to the criminal law? Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No. Should they be subject to the criminal law? Members opposite will not answer that question. The Drug Summit showed us that there is a different way to tackle this issue. To the previous Government’s credit, it introduced a cautioning system, which is a good policy. We are taking that and the advice from the Drug Summit on board. This Government will work effectively on this problem in our society. For the Government to work effectively on the problem, young people must be involved. If they are to work with us, it will not help if we demand that the full force of the criminal law be used against them. I will directly answer the member’s question. Firstly, I am aware of the Drug Summit and its recommendations; secondly, I am aware of what the Government is doing about the implementation of the summit’s recommendations; and, thirdly, the Government of Western Australia will continue to take a very strong line against drug traffickers. The member for Kalgoorlie might note that the Government has introduced legislation into this Parliament to give the police more powers to deal with organised crime, to which the member referred in his question. The shadow Minister for Health, who has been silent on this issue, should talk to the Leader of the Opposition, the opposition police spokesperson and Hon Simon O’Brien and knock some sense into them. They are trying to politicise a serious issue. This Government depoliticised the issue by setting up the Drug Summit. Let us work as a community to solve this problem. The shadow Minister for Health could play a role in that by knocking some sense into his colleagues. Over the years, the National Party has shown common sense on this issue. Let us work as a community and do a few things instead of playing politics. People are sick and tired of politicians playing politics; they want solutions to problems, which is why we are tackling these tough issues. We are not backing away from the issue because we were elected to make a difference. When Governments want to make a difference in society, they must take on a few vested interests, and this Government is willing to do it. The Opposition has its head in the sand and that hole in the sand goes backwards. We will properly deal with this issue, just as the Minister for Health has done by referring it to the John Prior committee. I know the National Party will take this issue seriously because it always has. However, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are incapable of addressing any issue. They cannot do it. They are so hell-bent on introducing party politics into serious issues that they are irrelevant.
(2) Is the Premier also aware that these gangs are using cannabis as currency to import harder drugs into South Australia, particularly heroin and amphetamines? (3) Why, through its decriminalisation of the cultivation of cannabis, is the Labor Party providing a vehicle for bikie gangs and other organised crime groups to become further involved in the syndicated cultivation and sale of drugs? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) That question demeans even the member for Kalgoorlie. I am aware the Community Drug Summit was held. I congratulate everyone involved in that summit because it was an example of innovative politics in Western Australia. Members of the community came into this Chamber and all of the political parties stayed out of the process. The members of the summit closely examined very contentious issues and came up with a range of recommendations, all of which the Government supported bar one. The implementation of one of those recommendations relating to cannabis required some further work. Our views on this issue were formed on the basis of the recommendations of the Drug Summit, not party political prejudice. Members of the Drug Summit represented people from all parts of the community. Following that summit, the Minister for Health set up a working group that considered the experience of South Australia, and that group will take on board the South Australian experience when it makes its recommendations. Does the member agree - Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No, under the conventions of Parliament the member cannot stand up. Is the member not willing to answer my question? We read statistics in our paper, based upon reputable research, that tragically many very young people in our society are using cannabis. I ask the member for Kalgoorlie whether he thinks that all of those youngsters should be subject to the criminal law? Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No. Should they be subject to the criminal law? Members opposite will not answer that question. The Drug Summit showed us that there is a different way to tackle this issue. To the previous Government’s credit, it introduced a cautioning system, which is a good policy. We are taking that and the advice from the Drug Summit on board. This Government will work effectively on this problem in our society. For the Government to work effectively on the problem, young people must be involved. If they are to work with us, it will not help if we demand that the full force of the criminal law be used against them. I will directly answer the member’s question. Firstly, I am aware of the Drug Summit and its recommendations; secondly, I am aware of what the Government is doing about the implementation of the summit’s recommendations; and, thirdly, the Government of Western Australia will continue to take a very strong line against drug traffickers. The member for Kalgoorlie might note that the Government has introduced legislation into this Parliament to give the police more powers to deal with organised crime, to which the member referred in his question. The shadow Minister for Health, who has been silent on this issue, should talk to the Leader of the Opposition, the opposition police spokesperson and Hon Simon O’Brien and knock some sense into them. They are trying to politicise a serious issue. This Government depoliticised the issue by setting up the Drug Summit. Let us work as a community to solve this problem. The shadow Minister for Health could play a role in that by knocking some sense into his colleagues. Over the years, the National Party has shown common sense on this issue. Let us work as a community and do a few things instead of playing politics. People are sick and tired of politicians playing politics; they want solutions to problems, which is why we are tackling these tough issues. We are not backing away from the issue because we were elected to make a difference. When Governments want to make a difference in society, they must take on a few vested interests, and this Government is willing to do it. The Opposition has its head in the sand and that hole in the sand goes backwards. We will properly deal with this issue, just as the Minister for Health has done by referring it to the John Prior committee. I know the National Party will take this issue seriously because it always has. However, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are incapable of addressing any issue. They cannot do it. They are so hell-bent on introducing party politics into serious issues that they are irrelevant.
(3) Why, through its decriminalisation of the cultivation of cannabis, is the Labor Party providing a vehicle for bikie gangs and other organised crime groups to become further involved in the syndicated cultivation and sale of drugs? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) That question demeans even the member for Kalgoorlie. I am aware the Community Drug Summit was held. I congratulate everyone involved in that summit because it was an example of innovative politics in Western Australia. Members of the community came into this Chamber and all of the political parties stayed out of the process. The members of the summit closely examined very contentious issues and came up with a range of recommendations, all of which the Government supported bar one. The implementation of one of those recommendations relating to cannabis required some further work. Our views on this issue were formed on the basis of the recommendations of the Drug Summit, not party political prejudice. Members of the Drug Summit represented people from all parts of the community. Following that summit, the Minister for Health set up a working group that considered the experience of South Australia, and that group will take on board the South Australian experience when it makes its recommendations. Does the member agree - Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No, under the conventions of Parliament the member cannot stand up. Is the member not willing to answer my question? We read statistics in our paper, based upon reputable research, that tragically many very young people in our society are using cannabis. I ask the member for Kalgoorlie whether he thinks that all of those youngsters should be subject to the criminal law? Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No. Should they be subject to the criminal law? Members opposite will not answer that question. The Drug Summit showed us that there is a different way to tackle this issue. To the previous Government’s credit, it introduced a cautioning system, which is a good policy. We are taking that and the advice from the Drug Summit on board. This Government will work effectively on this problem in our society. For the Government to work effectively on the problem, young people must be involved. If they are to work with us, it will not help if we demand that the full force of the criminal law be used against them. I will directly answer the member’s question. Firstly, I am aware of the Drug Summit and its recommendations; secondly, I am aware of what the Government is doing about the implementation of the summit’s recommendations; and, thirdly, the Government of Western Australia will continue to take a very strong line against drug traffickers. The member for Kalgoorlie might note that the Government has introduced legislation into this Parliament to give the police more powers to deal with organised crime, to which the member referred in his question. The shadow Minister for Health, who has been silent on this issue, should talk to the Leader of the Opposition, the opposition police spokesperson and Hon Simon O’Brien and knock some sense into them. They are trying to politicise a serious issue. This Government depoliticised the issue by setting up the Drug Summit. Let us work as a community to solve this problem. The shadow Minister for Health could play a role in that by knocking some sense into his colleagues. Over the years, the National Party has shown common sense on this issue. Let us work as a community and do a few things instead of playing politics. People are sick and tired of politicians playing politics; they want solutions to problems, which is why we are tackling these tough issues. We are not backing away from the issue because we were elected to make a difference. When Governments want to make a difference in society, they must take on a few vested interests, and this Government is willing to do it. The Opposition has its head in the sand and that hole in the sand goes backwards. We will properly deal with this issue, just as the Minister for Health has done by referring it to the John Prior committee. I know the National Party will take this issue seriously because it always has. However, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are incapable of addressing any issue. They cannot do it. They are so hell-bent on introducing party politics into serious issues that they are irrelevant.
Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) That question demeans even the member for Kalgoorlie. I am aware the Community Drug Summit was held. I congratulate everyone involved in that summit because it was an example of innovative politics in Western Australia. Members of the community came into this Chamber and all of the political parties stayed out of the process. The members of the summit closely examined very contentious issues and came up with a range of recommendations, all of which the Government supported bar one. The implementation of one of those recommendations relating to cannabis required some further work. Our views on this issue were formed on the basis of the recommendations of the Drug Summit, not party political prejudice. Members of the Drug Summit represented people from all parts of the community. Following that summit, the Minister for Health set up a working group that considered the experience of South Australia, and that group will take on board the South Australian experience when it makes its recommendations. Does the member agree - Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No, under the conventions of Parliament the member cannot stand up. Is the member not willing to answer my question? We read statistics in our paper, based upon reputable research, that tragically many very young people in our society are using cannabis. I ask the member for Kalgoorlie whether he thinks that all of those youngsters should be subject to the criminal law? Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No. Should they be subject to the criminal law? Members opposite will not answer that question. The Drug Summit showed us that there is a different way to tackle this issue. To the previous Government’s credit, it introduced a cautioning system, which is a good policy. We are taking that and the advice from the Drug Summit on board. This Government will work effectively on this problem in our society. For the Government to work effectively on the problem, young people must be involved. If they are to work with us, it will not help if we demand that the full force of the criminal law be used against them. I will directly answer the member’s question. Firstly, I am aware of the Drug Summit and its recommendations; secondly, I am aware of what the Government is doing about the implementation of the summit’s recommendations; and, thirdly, the Government of Western Australia will continue to take a very strong line against drug traffickers. The member for Kalgoorlie might note that the Government has introduced legislation into this Parliament to give the police more powers to deal with organised crime, to which the member referred in his question. The shadow Minister for Health, who has been silent on this issue, should talk to the Leader of the Opposition, the opposition police spokesperson and Hon Simon O’Brien and knock some sense into them. They are trying to politicise a serious issue. This Government depoliticised the issue by setting up the Drug Summit. Let us work as a community to solve this problem. The shadow Minister for Health could play a role in that by knocking some sense into his colleagues. Over the years, the National Party has shown common sense on this issue. Let us work as a community and do a few things instead of playing politics. People are sick and tired of politicians playing politics; they want solutions to problems, which is why we are tackling these tough issues. We are not backing away from the issue because we were elected to make a difference. When Governments want to make a difference in society, they must take on a few vested interests, and this Government is willing to do it. The Opposition has its head in the sand and that hole in the sand goes backwards. We will properly deal with this issue, just as the Minister for Health has done by referring it to the John Prior committee. I know the National Party will take this issue seriously because it always has. However, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are incapable of addressing any issue. They cannot do it. They are so hell-bent on introducing party politics into serious issues that they are irrelevant.
(1)-(3) That question demeans even the member for Kalgoorlie. I am aware the Community Drug Summit was held. I congratulate everyone involved in that summit because it was an example of innovative politics in Western Australia. Members of the community came into this Chamber and all of the political parties stayed out of the process. The members of the summit closely examined very contentious issues and came up with a range of recommendations, all of which the Government supported bar one. The implementation of one of those recommendations relating to cannabis required some further work. Our views on this issue were formed on the basis of the recommendations of the Drug Summit, not party political prejudice. Members of the Drug Summit represented people from all parts of the community. Following that summit, the Minister for Health set up a working group that considered the experience of South Australia, and that group will take on board the South Australian experience when it makes its recommendations. Does the member agree - Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No, under the conventions of Parliament the member cannot stand up. Is the member not willing to answer my question? We read statistics in our paper, based upon reputable research, that tragically many very young people in our society are using cannabis. I ask the member for Kalgoorlie whether he thinks that all of those youngsters should be subject to the criminal law? Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No. Should they be subject to the criminal law? Members opposite will not answer that question. The Drug Summit showed us that there is a different way to tackle this issue. To the previous Government’s credit, it introduced a cautioning system, which is a good policy. We are taking that and the advice from the Drug Summit on board. This Government will work effectively on this problem in our society. For the Government to work effectively on the problem, young people must be involved. If they are to work with us, it will not help if we demand that the full force of the criminal law be used against them. I will directly answer the member’s question. Firstly, I am aware of the Drug Summit and its recommendations; secondly, I am aware of what the Government is doing about the implementation of the summit’s recommendations; and, thirdly, the Government of Western Australia will continue to take a very strong line against drug traffickers. The member for Kalgoorlie might note that the Government has introduced legislation into this Parliament to give the police more powers to deal with organised crime, to which the member referred in his question. The shadow Minister for Health, who has been silent on this issue, should talk to the Leader of the Opposition, the opposition police spokesperson and Hon Simon O’Brien and knock some sense into them. They are trying to politicise a serious issue. This Government depoliticised the issue by setting up the Drug Summit. Let us work as a community to solve this problem. The shadow Minister for Health could play a role in that by knocking some sense into his colleagues. Over the years, the National Party has shown common sense on this issue. Let us work as a community and do a few things instead of playing politics. People are sick and tired of politicians playing politics; they want solutions to problems, which is why we are tackling these tough issues. We are not backing away from the issue because we were elected to make a difference. When Governments want to make a difference in society, they must take on a few vested interests, and this Government is willing to do it. The Opposition has its head in the sand and that hole in the sand goes backwards. We will properly deal with this issue, just as the Minister for Health has done by referring it to the John Prior committee. I know the National Party will take this issue seriously because it always has. However, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are incapable of addressing any issue. They cannot do it. They are so hell-bent on introducing party politics into serious issues that they are irrelevant.
Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No, under the conventions of Parliament the member cannot stand up. Is the member not willing to answer my question? We read statistics in our paper, based upon reputable research, that tragically many very young people in our society are using cannabis. I ask the member for Kalgoorlie whether he thinks that all of those youngsters should be subject to the criminal law? Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No. Should they be subject to the criminal law? Members opposite will not answer that question. The Drug Summit showed us that there is a different way to tackle this issue. To the previous Government’s credit, it introduced a cautioning system, which is a good policy. We are taking that and the advice from the Drug Summit on board. This Government will work effectively on this problem in our society. For the Government to work effectively on the problem, young people must be involved. If they are to work with us, it will not help if we demand that the full force of the criminal law be used against them. I will directly answer the member’s question. Firstly, I am aware of the Drug Summit and its recommendations; secondly, I am aware of what the Government is doing about the implementation of the summit’s recommendations; and, thirdly, the Government of Western Australia will continue to take a very strong line against drug traffickers. The member for Kalgoorlie might note that the Government has introduced legislation into this Parliament to give the police more powers to deal with organised crime, to which the member referred in his question. The shadow Minister for Health, who has been silent on this issue, should talk to the Leader of the Opposition, the opposition police spokesperson and Hon Simon O’Brien and knock some sense into them. They are trying to politicise a serious issue. This Government depoliticised the issue by setting up the Drug Summit. Let us work as a community to solve this problem. The shadow Minister for Health could play a role in that by knocking some sense into his colleagues. Over the years, the National Party has shown common sense on this issue. Let us work as a community and do a few things instead of playing politics. People are sick and tired of politicians playing politics; they want solutions to problems, which is why we are tackling these tough issues. We are not backing away from the issue because we were elected to make a difference. When Governments want to make a difference in society, they must take on a few vested interests, and this Government is willing to do it. The Opposition has its head in the sand and that hole in the sand goes backwards. We will properly deal with this issue, just as the Minister for Health has done by referring it to the John Prior committee. I know the National Party will take this issue seriously because it always has. However, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are incapable of addressing any issue. They cannot do it. They are so hell-bent on introducing party politics into serious issues that they are irrelevant.
Dr GALLOP: No, under the conventions of Parliament the member cannot stand up. Is the member not willing to answer my question? We read statistics in our paper, based upon reputable research, that tragically many very young people in our society are using cannabis. I ask the member for Kalgoorlie whether he thinks that all of those youngsters should be subject to the criminal law? Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No. Should they be subject to the criminal law? Members opposite will not answer that question. The Drug Summit showed us that there is a different way to tackle this issue. To the previous Government’s credit, it introduced a cautioning system, which is a good policy. We are taking that and the advice from the Drug Summit on board. This Government will work effectively on this problem in our society. For the Government to work effectively on the problem, young people must be involved. If they are to work with us, it will not help if we demand that the full force of the criminal law be used against them. I will directly answer the member’s question. Firstly, I am aware of the Drug Summit and its recommendations; secondly, I am aware of what the Government is doing about the implementation of the summit’s recommendations; and, thirdly, the Government of Western Australia will continue to take a very strong line against drug traffickers. The member for Kalgoorlie might note that the Government has introduced legislation into this Parliament to give the police more powers to deal with organised crime, to which the member referred in his question. The shadow Minister for Health, who has been silent on this issue, should talk to the Leader of the Opposition, the opposition police spokesperson and Hon Simon O’Brien and knock some sense into them. They are trying to politicise a serious issue. This Government depoliticised the issue by setting up the Drug Summit. Let us work as a community to solve this problem. The shadow Minister for Health could play a role in that by knocking some sense into his colleagues. Over the years, the National Party has shown common sense on this issue. Let us work as a community and do a few things instead of playing politics. People are sick and tired of politicians playing politics; they want solutions to problems, which is why we are tackling these tough issues. We are not backing away from the issue because we were elected to make a difference. When Governments want to make a difference in society, they must take on a few vested interests, and this Government is willing to do it. The Opposition has its head in the sand and that hole in the sand goes backwards. We will properly deal with this issue, just as the Minister for Health has done by referring it to the John Prior committee. I know the National Party will take this issue seriously because it always has. However, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are incapable of addressing any issue. They cannot do it. They are so hell-bent on introducing party politics into serious issues that they are irrelevant.
Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No. Should they be subject to the criminal law? Members opposite will not answer that question. The Drug Summit showed us that there is a different way to tackle this issue. To the previous Government’s credit, it introduced a cautioning system, which is a good policy. We are taking that and the advice from the Drug Summit on board. This Government will work effectively on this problem in our society. For the Government to work effectively on the problem, young people must be involved. If they are to work with us, it will not help if we demand that the full force of the criminal law be used against them. I will directly answer the member’s question. Firstly, I am aware of the Drug Summit and its recommendations; secondly, I am aware of what the Government is doing about the implementation of the summit’s recommendations; and, thirdly, the Government of Western Australia will continue to take a very strong line against drug traffickers. The member for Kalgoorlie might note that the Government has introduced legislation into this Parliament to give the police more powers to deal with organised crime, to which the member referred in his question. The shadow Minister for Health, who has been silent on this issue, should talk to the Leader of the Opposition, the opposition police spokesperson and Hon Simon O’Brien and knock some sense into them. They are trying to politicise a serious issue. This Government depoliticised the issue by setting up the Drug Summit. Let us work as a community to solve this problem. The shadow Minister for Health could play a role in that by knocking some sense into his colleagues. Over the years, the National Party has shown common sense on this issue. Let us work as a community and do a few things instead of playing politics. People are sick and tired of politicians playing politics; they want solutions to problems, which is why we are tackling these tough issues. We are not backing away from the issue because we were elected to make a difference. When Governments want to make a difference in society, they must take on a few vested interests, and this Government is willing to do it. The Opposition has its head in the sand and that hole in the sand goes backwards. We will properly deal with this issue, just as the Minister for Health has done by referring it to the John Prior committee. I know the National Party will take this issue seriously because it always has. However, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are incapable of addressing any issue. They cannot do it. They are so hell-bent on introducing party politics into serious issues that they are irrelevant.
Dr GALLOP: No. Should they be subject to the criminal law? Members opposite will not answer that question. The Drug Summit showed us that there is a different way to tackle this issue. To the previous Government’s credit, it introduced a cautioning system, which is a good policy. We are taking that and the advice from the Drug Summit on board. This Government will work effectively on this problem in our society. For the Government to work effectively on the problem, young people must be involved. If they are to work with us, it will not help if we demand that the full force of the criminal law be used against them. I will directly answer the member’s question. Firstly, I am aware of the Drug Summit and its recommendations; secondly, I am aware of what the Government is doing about the implementation of the summit’s recommendations; and, thirdly, the Government of Western Australia will continue to take a very strong line against drug traffickers. The member for Kalgoorlie might note that the Government has introduced legislation into this Parliament to give the police more powers to deal with organised crime, to which the member referred in his question. The shadow Minister for Health, who has been silent on this issue, should talk to the Leader of the Opposition, the opposition police spokesperson and Hon Simon O’Brien and knock some sense into them. They are trying to politicise a serious issue. This Government depoliticised the issue by setting up the Drug Summit. Let us work as a community to solve this problem. The shadow Minister for Health could play a role in that by knocking some sense into his colleagues. Over the years, the National Party has shown common sense on this issue. Let us work as a community and do a few things instead of playing politics. People are sick and tired of politicians playing politics; they want solutions to problems, which is why we are tackling these tough issues. We are not backing away from the issue because we were elected to make a difference. When Governments want to make a difference in society, they must take on a few vested interests, and this Government is willing to do it. The Opposition has its head in the sand and that hole in the sand goes backwards. We will properly deal with this issue, just as the Minister for Health has done by referring it to the John Prior committee. I know the National Party will take this issue seriously because it always has. However, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are incapable of addressing any issue. They cannot do it. They are so hell-bent on introducing party politics into serious issues that they are irrelevant.
The member for Kalgoorlie might note that the Government has introduced legislation into this Parliament to give the police more powers to deal with organised crime, to which the member referred in his question. The shadow Minister for Health, who has been silent on this issue, should talk to the Leader of the Opposition, the opposition police spokesperson and Hon Simon O’Brien and knock some sense into them. They are trying to politicise a serious issue. This Government depoliticised the issue by setting up the Drug Summit. Let us work as a community to solve this problem. The shadow Minister for Health could play a role in that by knocking some sense into his colleagues. Over the years, the National Party has shown common sense on this issue. Let us work as a community and do a few things instead of playing politics. People are sick and tired of politicians playing politics; they want solutions to problems, which is why we are tackling these tough issues. We are not backing away from the issue because we were elected to make a difference. When Governments want to make a difference in society, they must take on a few vested interests, and this Government is willing to do it. The Opposition has its head in the sand and that hole in the sand goes backwards. We will properly deal with this issue, just as the Minister for Health has done by referring it to the John Prior committee. I know the National Party will take this issue seriously because it always has. However, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are incapable of addressing any issue. They cannot do it. They are so hell-bent on introducing party politics into serious issues that they are irrelevant.
The Opposition has its head in the sand and that hole in the sand goes backwards. We will properly deal with this issue, just as the Minister for Health has done by referring it to the John Prior committee. I know the National Party will take this issue seriously because it always has. However, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are incapable of addressing any issue. They cannot do it. They are so hell-bent on introducing party politics into serious issues that they are irrelevant.
(1) Is the Premier aware that evidence from the South Australian police, the National Crime Authority and the Australian Bureau of Criminal Intelligence shows that as a result of the decriminalisation of cannabis, outlaw motorcycle gangs are now involved in the commercial cultivation of marijuana in South Australia? (2) Is the Premier also aware that these gangs are using cannabis as currency to import harder drugs into South Australia, particularly heroin and amphetamines? (3) Why, through its decriminalisation of the cultivation of cannabis, is the Labor Party providing a vehicle for bikie gangs and other organised crime groups to become further involved in the syndicated cultivation and sale of drugs? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) That question demeans even the member for Kalgoorlie. I am aware the Community Drug Summit was held. I congratulate everyone involved in that summit because it was an example of innovative politics in Western Australia. Members of the community came into this Chamber and all of the political parties stayed out of the process. The members of the summit closely examined very contentious issues and came up with a range of recommendations, all of which the Government supported bar one. The implementation of one of those recommendations relating to cannabis required some further work. Our views on this issue were formed on the basis of the recommendations of the Drug Summit, not party political prejudice. Members of the Drug Summit represented people from all parts of the community. Following that summit, the Minister for Health set up a working group that considered the experience of South Australia, and that group will take on board the South Australian experience when it makes its recommendations. Does the member agree - Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No, under the conventions of Parliament the member cannot stand up. Is the member not willing to answer my question? We read statistics in our paper, based upon reputable research, that tragically many very young people in our society are using cannabis. I ask the member for Kalgoorlie whether he thinks that all of those youngsters should be subject to the criminal law? Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No. Should they be subject to the criminal law? Members opposite will not answer that question. The Drug Summit showed us that there is a different way to tackle this issue. To the previous Government’s credit, it introduced a cautioning system, which is a good policy. We are taking that and the advice from the Drug Summit on board. This Government will work effectively on this problem in our society. For the Government to work effectively on the problem, young people must be involved. If they are to work with us, it will not help if we demand that the full force of the criminal law be used against them. I will directly answer the member’s question. Firstly, I am aware of the Drug Summit and its recommendations; secondly, I am aware of what the Government is doing about the implementation of the summit’s recommendations; and, thirdly, the Government of Western Australia will continue to take a very strong line against drug traffickers. The member for Kalgoorlie might note that the Government has introduced legislation into this Parliament to give the police more powers to deal with organised crime, to which the member referred in his question. The shadow Minister for Health, who has been silent on this issue, should talk to the Leader of the Opposition, the opposition police spokesperson and Hon Simon O’Brien and knock some sense into them. They are trying to politicise a serious issue. This Government depoliticised the issue by setting up the Drug Summit. Let us work as a community to solve this problem. The shadow Minister for Health could play a role in that by knocking some sense into his colleagues. Over the years, the National Party has shown common sense on this issue. Let us work as a community and do a few things instead of playing politics. People are sick and tired of politicians playing politics; they want solutions to problems, which is why we are tackling these tough issues. We are not backing away from the issue because we were elected to make a difference. When Governments want to make a difference in society, they must take on a few vested interests, and this Government is willing to do it. The Opposition has its head in the sand and that hole in the sand goes backwards. We will properly deal with this issue, just as the Minister for Health has done by referring it to the John Prior committee. I know the National Party will take this issue seriously because it always has. However, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are incapable of addressing any issue. They cannot do it. They are so hell-bent on introducing party politics into serious issues that they are irrelevant.
(2) Is the Premier also aware that these gangs are using cannabis as currency to import harder drugs into South Australia, particularly heroin and amphetamines? (3) Why, through its decriminalisation of the cultivation of cannabis, is the Labor Party providing a vehicle for bikie gangs and other organised crime groups to become further involved in the syndicated cultivation and sale of drugs? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) That question demeans even the member for Kalgoorlie. I am aware the Community Drug Summit was held. I congratulate everyone involved in that summit because it was an example of innovative politics in Western Australia. Members of the community came into this Chamber and all of the political parties stayed out of the process. The members of the summit closely examined very contentious issues and came up with a range of recommendations, all of which the Government supported bar one. The implementation of one of those recommendations relating to cannabis required some further work. Our views on this issue were formed on the basis of the recommendations of the Drug Summit, not party political prejudice. Members of the Drug Summit represented people from all parts of the community. Following that summit, the Minister for Health set up a working group that considered the experience of South Australia, and that group will take on board the South Australian experience when it makes its recommendations. Does the member agree - Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No, under the conventions of Parliament the member cannot stand up. Is the member not willing to answer my question? We read statistics in our paper, based upon reputable research, that tragically many very young people in our society are using cannabis. I ask the member for Kalgoorlie whether he thinks that all of those youngsters should be subject to the criminal law? Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No. Should they be subject to the criminal law? Members opposite will not answer that question. The Drug Summit showed us that there is a different way to tackle this issue. To the previous Government’s credit, it introduced a cautioning system, which is a good policy. We are taking that and the advice from the Drug Summit on board. This Government will work effectively on this problem in our society. For the Government to work effectively on the problem, young people must be involved. If they are to work with us, it will not help if we demand that the full force of the criminal law be used against them. I will directly answer the member’s question. Firstly, I am aware of the Drug Summit and its recommendations; secondly, I am aware of what the Government is doing about the implementation of the summit’s recommendations; and, thirdly, the Government of Western Australia will continue to take a very strong line against drug traffickers. The member for Kalgoorlie might note that the Government has introduced legislation into this Parliament to give the police more powers to deal with organised crime, to which the member referred in his question. The shadow Minister for Health, who has been silent on this issue, should talk to the Leader of the Opposition, the opposition police spokesperson and Hon Simon O’Brien and knock some sense into them. They are trying to politicise a serious issue. This Government depoliticised the issue by setting up the Drug Summit. Let us work as a community to solve this problem. The shadow Minister for Health could play a role in that by knocking some sense into his colleagues. Over the years, the National Party has shown common sense on this issue. Let us work as a community and do a few things instead of playing politics. People are sick and tired of politicians playing politics; they want solutions to problems, which is why we are tackling these tough issues. We are not backing away from the issue because we were elected to make a difference. When Governments want to make a difference in society, they must take on a few vested interests, and this Government is willing to do it. The Opposition has its head in the sand and that hole in the sand goes backwards. We will properly deal with this issue, just as the Minister for Health has done by referring it to the John Prior committee. I know the National Party will take this issue seriously because it always has. However, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are incapable of addressing any issue. They cannot do it. They are so hell-bent on introducing party politics into serious issues that they are irrelevant.
(3) Why, through its decriminalisation of the cultivation of cannabis, is the Labor Party providing a vehicle for bikie gangs and other organised crime groups to become further involved in the syndicated cultivation and sale of drugs? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) That question demeans even the member for Kalgoorlie. I am aware the Community Drug Summit was held. I congratulate everyone involved in that summit because it was an example of innovative politics in Western Australia. Members of the community came into this Chamber and all of the political parties stayed out of the process. The members of the summit closely examined very contentious issues and came up with a range of recommendations, all of which the Government supported bar one. The implementation of one of those recommendations relating to cannabis required some further work. Our views on this issue were formed on the basis of the recommendations of the Drug Summit, not party political prejudice. Members of the Drug Summit represented people from all parts of the community. Following that summit, the Minister for Health set up a working group that considered the experience of South Australia, and that group will take on board the South Australian experience when it makes its recommendations. Does the member agree - Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No, under the conventions of Parliament the member cannot stand up. Is the member not willing to answer my question? We read statistics in our paper, based upon reputable research, that tragically many very young people in our society are using cannabis. I ask the member for Kalgoorlie whether he thinks that all of those youngsters should be subject to the criminal law? Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No. Should they be subject to the criminal law? Members opposite will not answer that question. The Drug Summit showed us that there is a different way to tackle this issue. To the previous Government’s credit, it introduced a cautioning system, which is a good policy. We are taking that and the advice from the Drug Summit on board. This Government will work effectively on this problem in our society. For the Government to work effectively on the problem, young people must be involved. If they are to work with us, it will not help if we demand that the full force of the criminal law be used against them. I will directly answer the member’s question. Firstly, I am aware of the Drug Summit and its recommendations; secondly, I am aware of what the Government is doing about the implementation of the summit’s recommendations; and, thirdly, the Government of Western Australia will continue to take a very strong line against drug traffickers. The member for Kalgoorlie might note that the Government has introduced legislation into this Parliament to give the police more powers to deal with organised crime, to which the member referred in his question. The shadow Minister for Health, who has been silent on this issue, should talk to the Leader of the Opposition, the opposition police spokesperson and Hon Simon O’Brien and knock some sense into them. They are trying to politicise a serious issue. This Government depoliticised the issue by setting up the Drug Summit. Let us work as a community to solve this problem. The shadow Minister for Health could play a role in that by knocking some sense into his colleagues. Over the years, the National Party has shown common sense on this issue. Let us work as a community and do a few things instead of playing politics. People are sick and tired of politicians playing politics; they want solutions to problems, which is why we are tackling these tough issues. We are not backing away from the issue because we were elected to make a difference. When Governments want to make a difference in society, they must take on a few vested interests, and this Government is willing to do it. The Opposition has its head in the sand and that hole in the sand goes backwards. We will properly deal with this issue, just as the Minister for Health has done by referring it to the John Prior committee. I know the National Party will take this issue seriously because it always has. However, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are incapable of addressing any issue. They cannot do it. They are so hell-bent on introducing party politics into serious issues that they are irrelevant.
Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) That question demeans even the member for Kalgoorlie. I am aware the Community Drug Summit was held. I congratulate everyone involved in that summit because it was an example of innovative politics in Western Australia. Members of the community came into this Chamber and all of the political parties stayed out of the process. The members of the summit closely examined very contentious issues and came up with a range of recommendations, all of which the Government supported bar one. The implementation of one of those recommendations relating to cannabis required some further work. Our views on this issue were formed on the basis of the recommendations of the Drug Summit, not party political prejudice. Members of the Drug Summit represented people from all parts of the community. Following that summit, the Minister for Health set up a working group that considered the experience of South Australia, and that group will take on board the South Australian experience when it makes its recommendations. Does the member agree - Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No, under the conventions of Parliament the member cannot stand up. Is the member not willing to answer my question? We read statistics in our paper, based upon reputable research, that tragically many very young people in our society are using cannabis. I ask the member for Kalgoorlie whether he thinks that all of those youngsters should be subject to the criminal law? Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No. Should they be subject to the criminal law? Members opposite will not answer that question. The Drug Summit showed us that there is a different way to tackle this issue. To the previous Government’s credit, it introduced a cautioning system, which is a good policy. We are taking that and the advice from the Drug Summit on board. This Government will work effectively on this problem in our society. For the Government to work effectively on the problem, young people must be involved. If they are to work with us, it will not help if we demand that the full force of the criminal law be used against them. I will directly answer the member’s question. Firstly, I am aware of the Drug Summit and its recommendations; secondly, I am aware of what the Government is doing about the implementation of the summit’s recommendations; and, thirdly, the Government of Western Australia will continue to take a very strong line against drug traffickers. The member for Kalgoorlie might note that the Government has introduced legislation into this Parliament to give the police more powers to deal with organised crime, to which the member referred in his question. The shadow Minister for Health, who has been silent on this issue, should talk to the Leader of the Opposition, the opposition police spokesperson and Hon Simon O’Brien and knock some sense into them. They are trying to politicise a serious issue. This Government depoliticised the issue by setting up the Drug Summit. Let us work as a community to solve this problem. The shadow Minister for Health could play a role in that by knocking some sense into his colleagues. Over the years, the National Party has shown common sense on this issue. Let us work as a community and do a few things instead of playing politics. People are sick and tired of politicians playing politics; they want solutions to problems, which is why we are tackling these tough issues. We are not backing away from the issue because we were elected to make a difference. When Governments want to make a difference in society, they must take on a few vested interests, and this Government is willing to do it. The Opposition has its head in the sand and that hole in the sand goes backwards. We will properly deal with this issue, just as the Minister for Health has done by referring it to the John Prior committee. I know the National Party will take this issue seriously because it always has. However, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are incapable of addressing any issue. They cannot do it. They are so hell-bent on introducing party politics into serious issues that they are irrelevant.
(1)-(3) That question demeans even the member for Kalgoorlie. I am aware the Community Drug Summit was held. I congratulate everyone involved in that summit because it was an example of innovative politics in Western Australia. Members of the community came into this Chamber and all of the political parties stayed out of the process. The members of the summit closely examined very contentious issues and came up with a range of recommendations, all of which the Government supported bar one. The implementation of one of those recommendations relating to cannabis required some further work. Our views on this issue were formed on the basis of the recommendations of the Drug Summit, not party political prejudice. Members of the Drug Summit represented people from all parts of the community. Following that summit, the Minister for Health set up a working group that considered the experience of South Australia, and that group will take on board the South Australian experience when it makes its recommendations. Does the member agree - Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No, under the conventions of Parliament the member cannot stand up. Is the member not willing to answer my question? We read statistics in our paper, based upon reputable research, that tragically many very young people in our society are using cannabis. I ask the member for Kalgoorlie whether he thinks that all of those youngsters should be subject to the criminal law? Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No. Should they be subject to the criminal law? Members opposite will not answer that question. The Drug Summit showed us that there is a different way to tackle this issue. To the previous Government’s credit, it introduced a cautioning system, which is a good policy. We are taking that and the advice from the Drug Summit on board. This Government will work effectively on this problem in our society. For the Government to work effectively on the problem, young people must be involved. If they are to work with us, it will not help if we demand that the full force of the criminal law be used against them. I will directly answer the member’s question. Firstly, I am aware of the Drug Summit and its recommendations; secondly, I am aware of what the Government is doing about the implementation of the summit’s recommendations; and, thirdly, the Government of Western Australia will continue to take a very strong line against drug traffickers. The member for Kalgoorlie might note that the Government has introduced legislation into this Parliament to give the police more powers to deal with organised crime, to which the member referred in his question. The shadow Minister for Health, who has been silent on this issue, should talk to the Leader of the Opposition, the opposition police spokesperson and Hon Simon O’Brien and knock some sense into them. They are trying to politicise a serious issue. This Government depoliticised the issue by setting up the Drug Summit. Let us work as a community to solve this problem. The shadow Minister for Health could play a role in that by knocking some sense into his colleagues. Over the years, the National Party has shown common sense on this issue. Let us work as a community and do a few things instead of playing politics. People are sick and tired of politicians playing politics; they want solutions to problems, which is why we are tackling these tough issues. We are not backing away from the issue because we were elected to make a difference. When Governments want to make a difference in society, they must take on a few vested interests, and this Government is willing to do it. The Opposition has its head in the sand and that hole in the sand goes backwards. We will properly deal with this issue, just as the Minister for Health has done by referring it to the John Prior committee. I know the National Party will take this issue seriously because it always has. However, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are incapable of addressing any issue. They cannot do it. They are so hell-bent on introducing party politics into serious issues that they are irrelevant.
Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No, under the conventions of Parliament the member cannot stand up. Is the member not willing to answer my question? We read statistics in our paper, based upon reputable research, that tragically many very young people in our society are using cannabis. I ask the member for Kalgoorlie whether he thinks that all of those youngsters should be subject to the criminal law? Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No. Should they be subject to the criminal law? Members opposite will not answer that question. The Drug Summit showed us that there is a different way to tackle this issue. To the previous Government’s credit, it introduced a cautioning system, which is a good policy. We are taking that and the advice from the Drug Summit on board. This Government will work effectively on this problem in our society. For the Government to work effectively on the problem, young people must be involved. If they are to work with us, it will not help if we demand that the full force of the criminal law be used against them. I will directly answer the member’s question. Firstly, I am aware of the Drug Summit and its recommendations; secondly, I am aware of what the Government is doing about the implementation of the summit’s recommendations; and, thirdly, the Government of Western Australia will continue to take a very strong line against drug traffickers. The member for Kalgoorlie might note that the Government has introduced legislation into this Parliament to give the police more powers to deal with organised crime, to which the member referred in his question. The shadow Minister for Health, who has been silent on this issue, should talk to the Leader of the Opposition, the opposition police spokesperson and Hon Simon O’Brien and knock some sense into them. They are trying to politicise a serious issue. This Government depoliticised the issue by setting up the Drug Summit. Let us work as a community to solve this problem. The shadow Minister for Health could play a role in that by knocking some sense into his colleagues. Over the years, the National Party has shown common sense on this issue. Let us work as a community and do a few things instead of playing politics. People are sick and tired of politicians playing politics; they want solutions to problems, which is why we are tackling these tough issues. We are not backing away from the issue because we were elected to make a difference. When Governments want to make a difference in society, they must take on a few vested interests, and this Government is willing to do it. The Opposition has its head in the sand and that hole in the sand goes backwards. We will properly deal with this issue, just as the Minister for Health has done by referring it to the John Prior committee. I know the National Party will take this issue seriously because it always has. However, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are incapable of addressing any issue. They cannot do it. They are so hell-bent on introducing party politics into serious issues that they are irrelevant.
Dr GALLOP: No, under the conventions of Parliament the member cannot stand up. Is the member not willing to answer my question? We read statistics in our paper, based upon reputable research, that tragically many very young people in our society are using cannabis. I ask the member for Kalgoorlie whether he thinks that all of those youngsters should be subject to the criminal law? Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No. Should they be subject to the criminal law? Members opposite will not answer that question. The Drug Summit showed us that there is a different way to tackle this issue. To the previous Government’s credit, it introduced a cautioning system, which is a good policy. We are taking that and the advice from the Drug Summit on board. This Government will work effectively on this problem in our society. For the Government to work effectively on the problem, young people must be involved. If they are to work with us, it will not help if we demand that the full force of the criminal law be used against them. I will directly answer the member’s question. Firstly, I am aware of the Drug Summit and its recommendations; secondly, I am aware of what the Government is doing about the implementation of the summit’s recommendations; and, thirdly, the Government of Western Australia will continue to take a very strong line against drug traffickers. The member for Kalgoorlie might note that the Government has introduced legislation into this Parliament to give the police more powers to deal with organised crime, to which the member referred in his question. The shadow Minister for Health, who has been silent on this issue, should talk to the Leader of the Opposition, the opposition police spokesperson and Hon Simon O’Brien and knock some sense into them. They are trying to politicise a serious issue. This Government depoliticised the issue by setting up the Drug Summit. Let us work as a community to solve this problem. The shadow Minister for Health could play a role in that by knocking some sense into his colleagues. Over the years, the National Party has shown common sense on this issue. Let us work as a community and do a few things instead of playing politics. People are sick and tired of politicians playing politics; they want solutions to problems, which is why we are tackling these tough issues. We are not backing away from the issue because we were elected to make a difference. When Governments want to make a difference in society, they must take on a few vested interests, and this Government is willing to do it. The Opposition has its head in the sand and that hole in the sand goes backwards. We will properly deal with this issue, just as the Minister for Health has done by referring it to the John Prior committee. I know the National Party will take this issue seriously because it always has. However, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are incapable of addressing any issue. They cannot do it. They are so hell-bent on introducing party politics into serious issues that they are irrelevant.
Mr Birney: Can I stand up? Dr GALLOP: No. Should they be subject to the criminal law? Members opposite will not answer that question. The Drug Summit showed us that there is a different way to tackle this issue. To the previous Government’s credit, it introduced a cautioning system, which is a good policy. We are taking that and the advice from the Drug Summit on board. This Government will work effectively on this problem in our society. For the Government to work effectively on the problem, young people must be involved. If they are to work with us, it will not help if we demand that the full force of the criminal law be used against them. I will directly answer the member’s question. Firstly, I am aware of the Drug Summit and its recommendations; secondly, I am aware of what the Government is doing about the implementation of the summit’s recommendations; and, thirdly, the Government of Western Australia will continue to take a very strong line against drug traffickers. The member for Kalgoorlie might note that the Government has introduced legislation into this Parliament to give the police more powers to deal with organised crime, to which the member referred in his question. The shadow Minister for Health, who has been silent on this issue, should talk to the Leader of the Opposition, the opposition police spokesperson and Hon Simon O’Brien and knock some sense into them. They are trying to politicise a serious issue. This Government depoliticised the issue by setting up the Drug Summit. Let us work as a community to solve this problem. The shadow Minister for Health could play a role in that by knocking some sense into his colleagues. Over the years, the National Party has shown common sense on this issue. Let us work as a community and do a few things instead of playing politics. People are sick and tired of politicians playing politics; they want solutions to problems, which is why we are tackling these tough issues. We are not backing away from the issue because we were elected to make a difference. When Governments want to make a difference in society, they must take on a few vested interests, and this Government is willing to do it. The Opposition has its head in the sand and that hole in the sand goes backwards. We will properly deal with this issue, just as the Minister for Health has done by referring it to the John Prior committee. I know the National Party will take this issue seriously because it always has. However, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are incapable of addressing any issue. They cannot do it. They are so hell-bent on introducing party politics into serious issues that they are irrelevant.
Dr GALLOP: No. Should they be subject to the criminal law? Members opposite will not answer that question. The Drug Summit showed us that there is a different way to tackle this issue. To the previous Government’s credit, it introduced a cautioning system, which is a good policy. We are taking that and the advice from the Drug Summit on board. This Government will work effectively on this problem in our society. For the Government to work effectively on the problem, young people must be involved. If they are to work with us, it will not help if we demand that the full force of the criminal law be used against them. I will directly answer the member’s question. Firstly, I am aware of the Drug Summit and its recommendations; secondly, I am aware of what the Government is doing about the implementation of the summit’s recommendations; and, thirdly, the Government of Western Australia will continue to take a very strong line against drug traffickers. The member for Kalgoorlie might note that the Government has introduced legislation into this Parliament to give the police more powers to deal with organised crime, to which the member referred in his question. The shadow Minister for Health, who has been silent on this issue, should talk to the Leader of the Opposition, the opposition police spokesperson and Hon Simon O’Brien and knock some sense into them. They are trying to politicise a serious issue. This Government depoliticised the issue by setting up the Drug Summit. Let us work as a community to solve this problem. The shadow Minister for Health could play a role in that by knocking some sense into his colleagues. Over the years, the National Party has shown common sense on this issue. Let us work as a community and do a few things instead of playing politics. People are sick and tired of politicians playing politics; they want solutions to problems, which is why we are tackling these tough issues. We are not backing away from the issue because we were elected to make a difference. When Governments want to make a difference in society, they must take on a few vested interests, and this Government is willing to do it. The Opposition has its head in the sand and that hole in the sand goes backwards. We will properly deal with this issue, just as the Minister for Health has done by referring it to the John Prior committee. I know the National Party will take this issue seriously because it always has. However, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are incapable of addressing any issue. They cannot do it. They are so hell-bent on introducing party politics into serious issues that they are irrelevant.
The member for Kalgoorlie might note that the Government has introduced legislation into this Parliament to give the police more powers to deal with organised crime, to which the member referred in his question. The shadow Minister for Health, who has been silent on this issue, should talk to the Leader of the Opposition, the opposition police spokesperson and Hon Simon O’Brien and knock some sense into them. They are trying to politicise a serious issue. This Government depoliticised the issue by setting up the Drug Summit. Let us work as a community to solve this problem. The shadow Minister for Health could play a role in that by knocking some sense into his colleagues. Over the years, the National Party has shown common sense on this issue. Let us work as a community and do a few things instead of playing politics. People are sick and tired of politicians playing politics; they want solutions to problems, which is why we are tackling these tough issues. We are not backing away from the issue because we were elected to make a difference. When Governments want to make a difference in society, they must take on a few vested interests, and this Government is willing to do it. The Opposition has its head in the sand and that hole in the sand goes backwards. We will properly deal with this issue, just as the Minister for Health has done by referring it to the John Prior committee. I know the National Party will take this issue seriously because it always has. However, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are incapable of addressing any issue. They cannot do it. They are so hell-bent on introducing party politics into serious issues that they are irrelevant.
The Opposition has its head in the sand and that hole in the sand goes backwards. We will properly deal with this issue, just as the Minister for Health has done by referring it to the John Prior committee. I know the National Party will take this issue seriously because it always has. However, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are incapable of addressing any issue. They cannot do it. They are so hell-bent on introducing party politics into serious issues that they are irrelevant.
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