Jan McLucas (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers) Share this | Hansard source

The question that Senator Scullion is asking probably relates more to other questions. As we usually do in this place, we have a broad-ranging discussion at the beginning of the committee stage. The minister will consider the response from the states before considering the designation of an area. The government is committed to pursuing a consistent national approach by tackling the harm caused by petrol sniffing. In addition to writing to relevant state and territory ministers in South Australia, Queensland, WA and the NT in July this year to seek their views on pursuing nationally consistent legislation, the Department of Health and Ageing officials have also liaised with their counterparts to progress this work. The relevant state and territory governments have indicated a willingness to continue discussions about legislative controls to prevent petrol sniffing. That is why the government amendments include a provision whereby, before designating a low-aromatic fuel area or a fuel control area, the minister must be satisfied that the appropriate states and territories have not enacted legislation consistent with the Low Aromatic Fuel Act or are unlikely to enact legislation within a reasonable period.