Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I would also like to speak to the motion regarding the additional information received by the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs that has been tabled and to congratulate the communities that have had such a positive response to the rollout of Opal.

For those of us who were lucky enough to go to the Remotefest short film festival on Monday night and see some of the short films that had been made about the Opal rollout and how communities were dealing with petrol sniffing in remote communities, it was very exciting to see some of the successful programs, the creativity of the film makers and the joy of the young people who were featured in the films. It really was heart-warming to see these films and a change from some of the negative stories that we hear.

As the CAYLUS report that has been tabled today highlights, there have been some very positive outcomes to the rollout of Opal fuel, which, as Senator Humphries said just a moment ago, was one of the recommendations from the Senate report in attempting to renew hope in remote communities. Some of the other recommendations went to some of the other issues that need to be dealt with if we are going to successfully eradicate petrol sniffing permanently. They relate to diversionary programs, to youth support workers and to the need for infrastructure for those youth workers. The CAYLUS report stated:

It appears the capacity of the communities to deal with inhalant abuse has been greatly enhanced by the Opal supply reduction strategy. This has provided an environment in which communities and services can achieve improved health and social order outcomes. This requires a commitment of funds for infrastructure and youth programs in order to capitalise on this initial success.

This is what we really need to focus on now. For a start, while there has been positive success in a number of communities, there are still other communities that need the rollout of Opal and it is absolutely essential that infrastructure and ongoing youth programs and funding for those programs are provided. For example, accommodation for youth workers is urgently needed. Although some accommodation has been built, as I understand it, it is not being used as yet. These sorts of issues are absolutely vital.

CAYLUS also pointed out in their report and on Monday night that 23 young people who had been through the Mount Theo program have achieved employment in the community in Central Australia. So not only is this having successful health and social outcomes; youth who have been through a whole succession of programs are now finding employment. The holistic approach that was pointed out in the Senate committee report is absolutely critical.

CAYLUS also pointed out in their report that, through the eight-point plan, the rollout of Opal has been extended to other communities, which is dealing with the supply issue, but further resources are needed to deal with demand reduction programs. What the Greens are certainly asking government to urgently look at now is the provision of additional funds for infrastructure support for the youth diversionary programs so that this scourge can be permanently eradicated.

We are making a really good start, but it is too early for self-congratulation because we have been there before with avgas. We started to get some success with avgas but communities gradually fell back into sniffing, which is why we need to learn from those mistakes of the past and really get behind the call for additional resources and the supply of them so that this program truly is successful. As the committee pointed out when we tabled the report last year, we want this to be the last report on petrol sniffing. Progress is being made towards that and we truly hope that it is.