❓ Mr Barnett questions the Premier about the government's stance on cannabis decriminalisation following the Drug Summit, citing public opposition and negative consequences in South Australia. The Premier defends the government's approach, highlighting the Drug Summit's recommendations and criticising the opposition's inconsistency and past record.
AnsweredQoN 836Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the Premier to his press release outlining the Government’s response to the Drug Summit, which states - The community would continue to have input into drug . . . strategies. (1) Given that according to the latest Westpoll 56 per cent of people oppose the decriminalisation of up to 25 grams of cannabis and the cultivation of two cannabis plants, will the Premier now abandon the push to decriminalise the drug? (2) If not, why is the Premier ignoring not only the people of Western Australia but also the overwhelming evidence from South Australia, where decriminalisation of cannabis cultivation has led to increased organised crime activity, an increase in cannabis availability, a drop in the price of cannabis, more home invasions and more importation of harder drugs into Adelaide? Dr GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) Opposition members should get their lines right. Last week, during debate on the forest issue, I was labelled a professional politician who was driven by the polls, and that that was all there was to my Government. This week, the Opposition is saying that I should be driven by the polls and should base government decisions on them! The Leader of the Opposition needs to take a consistent line when talking about this Government. Mr Barnett: We do not support the decriminalisation of cannabis and never have. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: The comment made by the Leader of the Opposition is wrong, because I recall the introduction of a cautioning system under the previous Government. Mr Barnett: That was one caution. You have indefinite cautioning. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not come into this House and mislead the people of Western Australia about what happened. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: Your health minister is putting young children at risk with this policy. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
(2) If not, why is the Premier ignoring not only the people of Western Australia but also the overwhelming evidence from South Australia, where decriminalisation of cannabis cultivation has led to increased organised crime activity, an increase in cannabis availability, a drop in the price of cannabis, more home invasions and more importation of harder drugs into Adelaide? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) Opposition members should get their lines right. Last week, during debate on the forest issue, I was labelled a professional politician who was driven by the polls, and that that was all there was to my Government. This week, the Opposition is saying that I should be driven by the polls and should base government decisions on them! The Leader of the Opposition needs to take a consistent line when talking about this Government. Mr Barnett: We do not support the decriminalisation of cannabis and never have. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: The comment made by the Leader of the Opposition is wrong, because I recall the introduction of a cautioning system under the previous Government. Mr Barnett: That was one caution. You have indefinite cautioning. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not come into this House and mislead the people of Western Australia about what happened. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: Your health minister is putting young children at risk with this policy. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) Opposition members should get their lines right. Last week, during debate on the forest issue, I was labelled a professional politician who was driven by the polls, and that that was all there was to my Government. This week, the Opposition is saying that I should be driven by the polls and should base government decisions on them! The Leader of the Opposition needs to take a consistent line when talking about this Government. Mr Barnett: We do not support the decriminalisation of cannabis and never have. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: The comment made by the Leader of the Opposition is wrong, because I recall the introduction of a cautioning system under the previous Government. Mr Barnett: That was one caution. You have indefinite cautioning. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not come into this House and mislead the people of Western Australia about what happened. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: Your health minister is putting young children at risk with this policy. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
(1)-(2) Opposition members should get their lines right. Last week, during debate on the forest issue, I was labelled a professional politician who was driven by the polls, and that that was all there was to my Government. This week, the Opposition is saying that I should be driven by the polls and should base government decisions on them! The Leader of the Opposition needs to take a consistent line when talking about this Government. Mr Barnett: We do not support the decriminalisation of cannabis and never have. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: The comment made by the Leader of the Opposition is wrong, because I recall the introduction of a cautioning system under the previous Government. Mr Barnett: That was one caution. You have indefinite cautioning. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not come into this House and mislead the people of Western Australia about what happened. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: Your health minister is putting young children at risk with this policy. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Mr Barnett: We do not support the decriminalisation of cannabis and never have. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: The comment made by the Leader of the Opposition is wrong, because I recall the introduction of a cautioning system under the previous Government. Mr Barnett: That was one caution. You have indefinite cautioning. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not come into this House and mislead the people of Western Australia about what happened. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: Your health minister is putting young children at risk with this policy. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: The comment made by the Leader of the Opposition is wrong, because I recall the introduction of a cautioning system under the previous Government. Mr Barnett: That was one caution. You have indefinite cautioning. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not come into this House and mislead the people of Western Australia about what happened. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: Your health minister is putting young children at risk with this policy. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Dr GALLOP: The comment made by the Leader of the Opposition is wrong, because I recall the introduction of a cautioning system under the previous Government. Mr Barnett: That was one caution. You have indefinite cautioning. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not come into this House and mislead the people of Western Australia about what happened. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: Your health minister is putting young children at risk with this policy. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Mr Barnett: That was one caution. You have indefinite cautioning. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not come into this House and mislead the people of Western Australia about what happened. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: Your health minister is putting young children at risk with this policy. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not come into this House and mislead the people of Western Australia about what happened. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: Your health minister is putting young children at risk with this policy. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: Your health minister is putting young children at risk with this policy. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: Your health minister is putting young children at risk with this policy. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Mr Barnett: Your health minister is putting young children at risk with this policy. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
(2) If not, why is the Premier ignoring not only the people of Western Australia but also the overwhelming evidence from South Australia, where decriminalisation of cannabis cultivation has led to increased organised crime activity, an increase in cannabis availability, a drop in the price of cannabis, more home invasions and more importation of harder drugs into Adelaide? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) Opposition members should get their lines right. Last week, during debate on the forest issue, I was labelled a professional politician who was driven by the polls, and that that was all there was to my Government. This week, the Opposition is saying that I should be driven by the polls and should base government decisions on them! The Leader of the Opposition needs to take a consistent line when talking about this Government. Mr Barnett: We do not support the decriminalisation of cannabis and never have. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: The comment made by the Leader of the Opposition is wrong, because I recall the introduction of a cautioning system under the previous Government. Mr Barnett: That was one caution. You have indefinite cautioning. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not come into this House and mislead the people of Western Australia about what happened. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: Your health minister is putting young children at risk with this policy. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) Opposition members should get their lines right. Last week, during debate on the forest issue, I was labelled a professional politician who was driven by the polls, and that that was all there was to my Government. This week, the Opposition is saying that I should be driven by the polls and should base government decisions on them! The Leader of the Opposition needs to take a consistent line when talking about this Government. Mr Barnett: We do not support the decriminalisation of cannabis and never have. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: The comment made by the Leader of the Opposition is wrong, because I recall the introduction of a cautioning system under the previous Government. Mr Barnett: That was one caution. You have indefinite cautioning. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not come into this House and mislead the people of Western Australia about what happened. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: Your health minister is putting young children at risk with this policy. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
(1)-(2) Opposition members should get their lines right. Last week, during debate on the forest issue, I was labelled a professional politician who was driven by the polls, and that that was all there was to my Government. This week, the Opposition is saying that I should be driven by the polls and should base government decisions on them! The Leader of the Opposition needs to take a consistent line when talking about this Government. Mr Barnett: We do not support the decriminalisation of cannabis and never have. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: The comment made by the Leader of the Opposition is wrong, because I recall the introduction of a cautioning system under the previous Government. Mr Barnett: That was one caution. You have indefinite cautioning. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not come into this House and mislead the people of Western Australia about what happened. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: Your health minister is putting young children at risk with this policy. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Mr Barnett: We do not support the decriminalisation of cannabis and never have. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: The comment made by the Leader of the Opposition is wrong, because I recall the introduction of a cautioning system under the previous Government. Mr Barnett: That was one caution. You have indefinite cautioning. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not come into this House and mislead the people of Western Australia about what happened. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: Your health minister is putting young children at risk with this policy. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: The comment made by the Leader of the Opposition is wrong, because I recall the introduction of a cautioning system under the previous Government. Mr Barnett: That was one caution. You have indefinite cautioning. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not come into this House and mislead the people of Western Australia about what happened. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: Your health minister is putting young children at risk with this policy. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Dr GALLOP: The comment made by the Leader of the Opposition is wrong, because I recall the introduction of a cautioning system under the previous Government. Mr Barnett: That was one caution. You have indefinite cautioning. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not come into this House and mislead the people of Western Australia about what happened. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: Your health minister is putting young children at risk with this policy. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Mr Barnett: That was one caution. You have indefinite cautioning. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not come into this House and mislead the people of Western Australia about what happened. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: Your health minister is putting young children at risk with this policy. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not come into this House and mislead the people of Western Australia about what happened. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: Your health minister is putting young children at risk with this policy. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: Your health minister is putting young children at risk with this policy. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: Your health minister is putting young children at risk with this policy. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Mr Barnett: Your health minister is putting young children at risk with this policy. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition and the Minister for Health! Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Dr GALLOP: We promised a drug summit. The Drug Summit was held because it was pretty clear to the people of Western Australia that it was impossible for the Parliament to deal with that question, free of normal political argument. Therefore, the member for Willagee, who was our spokesperson on this matter, came up with the idea of having a drug summit. Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Mr Barnett: Better than a policy. Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Dr GALLOP: It was a good policy and a good Drug Summit! The Leader of the Opposition will not front that. Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Mr Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is becoming what can be described only as pathetic. His interventions in the public debate in Western Australia are pathetic. This Government has also - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier stopped speaking because it was impossible for him to continue. That level of interjection is inappropriate. I ask members to remain silent for the rest of this answer. Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Dr GALLOP: The Drug Summit made a recommendation that can be described only as working within the spirit of the previous Government’s approach to this issue. Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Mr Barnett: It was consistent with the Labor Party’s 1999 policy. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition should not try to rewrite history. The people of Western Australia know what the coalition Government did, as do the people who attended the Drug Summit. The summit’s recommendations have been presented to the Government, which has sent them to a high-level working party. The Ministerial Working Party on Drug Law Reform is chaired by John Prior, who is known to most Western Australians as one of the State’s leading criminal lawyers. The working party will present to the Government a set of recommendations about how to implement the Drug Summit’s proposals. I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
I urge members opposite to start treating these issues seriously. We witnessed the same ranting and raving today that we witnessed during their two terms in government. Did it save the life of one young Western Australian who was hooked on drugs? Did it reduce drug use in our community? It did not! That is why the Drug Summit begged this Parliament to get its act together and to try new solutions. The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
The Leader of the Opposition can quote polls all he likes. This Government held a Drug Summit involving the best informed and most experienced people in the field. The summit presented its recommendations, and this Government intends to implement them in a practical way and in the spirit of the previous Government’s cautioning policy.
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.