Page 4299 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 7 December 1993
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DRUG LAW REFORM
Discussion of Matter of Public Importance
MADAM SPEAKER: Members, I have received a letter from Mr Moore proposing that a matter of public importance be submitted to the Assembly for discussion, namely:
The need for drug law reform.
MR MOORE (3.12): Madam Speaker, before starting my speech, I seek leave to table the documents that I will be reading from, the "Charter for Drug Law Reform", and a copy of the names of people who are signatories as well as those who have endorsed it.
Leave granted.
MR MOORE: Thank you, members. Madam Speaker, the Australian Parliamentary Group for Drug Law Reform has agreed to this "Charter for Drug Law Reform". It launched it publicly on 26 November, and has agreed that it be read into the record of the parliament in each State throughout Australia. I believe that today marks the first occurrence of the charter being read into the record of a parliament. I shall spend a few minutes reading the charter into the record and then I will proceed to discuss it. It states:
This Charter seeks to encourage a more rational, tolerant, non-judgmental, humanitarian and understanding approach to people who currently use illicit drugs in our community. The aims of the Australian Parliamentary Group for Drug Law Reform are to minimise the adverse health, social and economic consequences of Australia's policies and laws controlling drug use and supply.
Part A:
Preamble
The members of the Australian Parliamentary Group for Drug Law Reform recognise:
. the massive size and escalation of the illicit drug trade and the resulting prevalence and power of organised crime,
. national and international policies of prohibition have failed to suppress illicit drug supply notwithstanding enormous financial and legal resources expended in their implementation,
. current policies have led to an escalation of crimes against property and associated crimes of violence,
. prohibition is a greater threat to personal and community health than a system of controlled availability,
. civil liberties are being eroded in attempts to stem the supply of illicit drugs,
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