David Feeney (Batman, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Justice) Share this | Hansard source

Labor wholeheartedly welcomes the enhanced focus of this House on tackling the epidemic of ice in Australia. The latest Illicit drug data reportand the Australian Crime Commission's first report into the methamphetamine market paint a very grim picture of the impact that this drug is having on the Australian community. Both reports contain truly chilling statistics, and each of these statistics represent very personal stories of pain and the daily struggle of thousands of individuals and their families.

Labor notes and has welcomed the government's announcement of the National Ice Action Strategy and the establishment of a National Ice Taskforce, as well as the law enforcement initiative Dob in a Dealer. We have made it clear that Labor is committed to working with the government to help tackle the menace of ice. The National Drug Strategy, approved in February 2011, was an important step forward in preventing and treating illicit drug use. Expiring this year, there is an opportunity to make a real difference.

The threat of ice requires a strong national policy with a health based approach to complement law enforcement efforts. While those opposite have made the right noises when it comes to recognising the need for preventative and rehabilitative initiatives, so far, unfortunately, this has only been accompanied by cuts to front-line programs and services. The 2013-14 budget ripped $197 million from the flexible health funds, including an initial $7 million cut from the Substance Misuse Prevention and Service Improvement Grants Fund and a $1.2 million cut from the Substance Misuse Service Delivery Grants Fund. In this year's budget, it was announced that a further $596 million would be taken from these funds. In addition, those opposite are still refusing to confirm whether federal funding for the Non Government Organisation Treatment Grants Program will be extended beyond the financial year.

These massive cuts have created a deep sense of uncertainty within this very important sector. Services helping people overcome alcohol and illicit drug problems, including ice—services that were already struggling to cope with the increased demand—have now been put under even greater pressure. Given that the number of ice users has doubled in the past year, we cannot risk axing or dramatically reducing the support structures that are essential to all of us in tackling the ice problem.

The latest illicit drug report concluded that ice arrests were up 18 per cent over the reporting period and seizures were up 27 per cent. But the number of users is still up and the price of ice has remained stable or has even reduced. It is clear that this is not an issue that we can arrest our way out of. The models that have worked most effectively overseas are those models which involve a close integration of justice and public health systems. Those opposite must, if they truly desire progress on this issue, rule out further cuts to these important front-line services. They must provide real support and certainty to the services that do such incredible work in the preventative, rehabilitation, harm reduction and support service sector—people upon whom we all rely, people whose expertise is the key to tackling this menace.

Law enforcement initiatives that tackle supply and crack down on organised crime will always play an essential role in tackling the scourge of illicit drugs, but they must be complemented by an emphasis on treatment, education and community support to reduce demand. The government now has the final report of the National Ice Taskforce before it. This must be released, and the government's words must now be followed by real action and real support for front-line services.

Debate adjourned.

See this speech in context