Wendy Askew (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Attorney-General, Senator Watt. Senator, yesterday in your answer to a question about the new drug laws introduced by ACT Labor, you said:

… it is important to recognise that the changes that the ACT have made have been in relation to small quantities of these substances for personal consumption.

These laws will allow people to carry up to a gram of heroin or 1.5 grams of ice. According to the US Department of Justice, that is enough heroin to kill five people, and yet, in the ACT your infringement would be smaller than the fine you would receive for parking outside your space at a shopping centre. Can you please clarify the government's position on how much ice or heroin it is appropriate to carry for personal use, and can you also advise whether other jurisdictions, including New South Wales, have raised concerns with these laws?