Page 2285 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 3 August 2022
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While the Chief Minister and the health minister have continuously stated that they support a health response to drug use, the proposed legislation before the Assembly is unlikely to realise that vision. While the proposed legislation softens our response to drug possession, it does not actually decriminalise this act. Retaining fines and custodial sentences for personal possession does not reflect an evidence-based approach to drug use or the position of our Canberra community.
While today we are debating Mr Pettersson’s bill in principle, I note that I have just tabled amendments to the bill that will ensure the proper enactment of decriminalisation in the ACT. These amendments have arisen from the close consultation that I have undertaken—
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MR DAVIS: Mr Hanson, can you hold it back? These amendments have arisen from the close consultation I have undertaken with stakeholders. These amendments are designed to ensure that people who possess drugs are not criminalised for possession, retain current evidence-based personal possession thresholds, set clear terms for a two-year legislative review and, in closing, ensure that the drug diversion programs that arise out of this legislation are accessible and non-punitive. These amendments retain the existing possession quantities which are based on the best available evidence and ensure that there is no pathway into the criminal justice system for someone found in possession of drugs.
These amendments have been developed in close consultation with a range of local and national experts in the field of drug harm reduction. They arise out of my close and detailed analysis of the written and verbal evidence before the select committee inquiry.
Given that the debate on the detail stage of this bill will occur in September, it is my belief that the government still has an opportunity to enact meaningful change by entering into a discussion with the ACT Greens about these amendments. I look forward to ongoing engagement with the minister to get these amendments right.
I welcome all members in this space with an interest in reducing the harm of drugs to work with my office on these amendments. I also welcome people with expertise and lived experience of substance use to contact my office to learn more about our proposal and to talk to us about how our work can support them. This nation-leading reform is essential to reduce the stigma and criminalisation of people who use drugs.
The Greens have had a long and successful commitment to reducing the harms that arise from the unnecessary and counterproductive criminalisation of drugs. Since being elected in October 2020, my office and I have been working closely with the community to reduce the harms of the criminalisation of drugs. This work reflects a longstanding commitment of the ACT Greens to drug law reform. A fortnight ago we warmly welcomed the opening of CanTEST, Australia’s first permanent drug-checking site, just a block from the Assembly. The ACT Greens have advocated for pill testing in the ACT for many years, including initiating two trials which occurred at the Groovin the Moo music festival in 2018 and 2019.
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