Page 3824 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 25 September 2019
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MR RATTENBURY: I table a supplementary explanation to the amendments. I move amendment No 1 circulated in my name [see schedule 2 at page 3922]. The ACT Greens want to ensure that the community is fully aware of the potential physical and mental health implications of consuming cannabis and of the unlikely but possible complex legal issues relating to commonwealth legislation that this amendment act presents to people who cultivate, possess and use cannabis in the ACT.
This amendment stipulates that the amendments will come into operation on a day fixed by the responsible minister by written notice. However, this day cannot be a day that is before the public notification of guidance material regarding the legal and health implications of personal cannabis use, possession and cultivation. I do appreciate that this presents quite a novel approach to commencement of the amendments, but we believe this offers the government increased flexibility and the Assembly and the broader community increased transparency and clarity on the operation of the provisions.
It is clear from the evidence that has come before the committee, from the nature of the public debate and from some of the questions that are still being asked in the media, for example, that there is some explaining to do. This also goes to points that Mr Hanson has raised about potential mental health impacts. I think the government has been very clear in that regard. I, as the Minister for Mental Health, and the health minister in her remarks this morning, have been very clear about that. I think there is room to tell this story to the community.
This need not delay the commencement in any significant form. I think this work can be done quite quickly. It also enables time for some of the other practical matters that will need to be worked through, so we believe that this is a practical way to trigger the commencement of this legislation.
MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Social Inclusion and Equality, Minister for Tertiary Education, Minister for Tourism and Special Events and Minister for Trade, Industry and Investment) (11.03): The government is happy to support Mr Rattenbury’s amendment. It is very consistent with the amendment I was scheduled to move in this part of the detail debate. It adds an element, which we are happy to support, to say that we are happy for the commencement to be on a day fixed by the Minister for Health by written notice. We recognise that that is a date early in 2020, and we propose 31 January, which would allow time to communicate with Canberrans on what the new legal framework is and make sure that people understand the continuing restrictions and risks when it comes to using cannabis. We agree with the Greens’ amendment.
Whilst I am on my feet at the beginning of the detail stage, I will make some broader comments in relation to the amendments that I will be moving throughout the debate, and more broadly on the contributions to this process and indeed to the Assembly debate this morning.
I would state from the outset that the ACT government supports sensible drug law reform that reduces the harm of drugs in our community and allows the resources of
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