Page 1436 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 6 May 2015
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the ACT engaging strongly on the issue of ice and taking coordinated appropriate action, I think Mr Hanson’s request should be adjusted slightly. The ACT’s approach should be coordinated with the federal response, and also with the work occurring in New South Wales. The proposed amendment reflects that view—that is, the amendment put forward by Mr Barr.
In addition to that, I will be moving a further amendment circulated in my name. I move:
Add new paragraph (3):
“(3) and calls on the ACT Government to provide an update to the Assembly on the National Taskforce interim report, and implications for the ACT, by the end of the September sitting period.”.
The amendment calls on the government to provide an update to the Assembly on the national task force interim report and implications for the ACT by the end of the September sitting period. The purpose here is to keep us moving forward on this issue. Rather than the ACT at this point going out and developing its own strategy, Mr Barr has moved an amendment which speaks to us being part of the nationally plugged-in approach; I think it is also appropriate that the Assembly receives an update as that work progresses.
I commend my further amendment to the Assembly. As I say, I welcome the fact that Mr Hanson brought this on today. It has given us an opportunity to focus on what is both an important and concerning issue.
MS BURCH (Brindabella—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for Disability, Minister for Racing and Gaming and Minister for the Arts) (4.56): I rise today to support the amendments to this motion. As Minister for Police and Emergency Services I am aware that illicit drug use of any kind is a constant concern for law enforcement, health professionals and the wider community.
ACT Policing has identified within the last 12 months that, consistent with national trends, ACT-based organised crime networks have an increased interest and involvement in ice. The ACT Policing drugs and organised crime investigation team, which incorporates Taskforce Nemesis, is dedicated to investigating outlaw motorcycle and organised crime links.
In October last year ACT Policing made their largest drug seizure. Approximately 29 kilograms of ice was seized as a result of the hard work and dedication of our ACT police force. Two months earlier, in August last year, they identified a commercial grade illicit drug laboratory within a building at Hume. Police located 2.5 tonnes of chemicals and equipment there.
There is no doubt that responding to the very real issue of drug supply and use in our community is an issue that must have a whole-of-government, nationwide approach. I am confident that the intelligence-led and highly sophisticated investigations that ACT police undertake will continue to see increased disruption to this activity.
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