Gary Humphries (ACT, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I present follow-up information received by the Standing Committee on Community Affairs on an inquiry by the former references committee into petrol sniffing in Aboriginal communities, and move:

That the Senate take note of the document.

In speaking to that motion, I should record that the Senate community affairs committee has been very active in following developments that occur in areas that have been the subject of recent inquiries. Just yesterday, senators agreed to refer an ongoing matter relating to mental health to the committee. That is an indication of our desire to follow up on issues that were raised previously by a select committee. We also believe it is very important to maintain government and community focus on these issues.

The report to the committee from the Central Australian Youth Link-up Service, CAYLUS, that I have just tabled provides information on progress with petrol sniffing prevention initiatives in Central Australia that follow the committee’s inquiry into petrol sniffing. The committee’s report in June 2006 made a number of recommendations, including supporting an extended rollout of non-sniffable Opal fuel, developing longer term community based programs especially working with young people and widening the coverage of the eight-point plan.

The committee met with representatives of CAYLUS this week and is very pleased to report the tangible improvements that have occurred following completion of the committee’s inquiry. The report from CAYLUS stated:

There has been a huge reduction in petrol sniffing in remote communities in our region as a result of the Opal roll out. In most communities there is now a strong opposition to the return of inhalant abuse. This cessation of sniffing has already had positive effects on rates of STDs, school attendance, staff and community morale ... The challenge is now to provide young people with new options in their lives now that sniffing culture is broken.

In meeting this challenge, a regional youth program infrastructure is required. In particular, youth programs are required in the areas that have now been included within the extended eight-point plan and in communities east of the Stuart Highway. CAYLUS also commented:

Without the required funds, it is possible that the early success of Opal will be lost, as the window to address the underlying causes of inhalant and other substance abuse may close.

The committee strongly supports the initiatives proposed by CAYLUS in the tabled paper to ensure that the advances that have been made are not lost and that the initial gains made by the Opal strategy can be made sustainable in the long term.