Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator Scullion.

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senators, do not have discussions across the chamber.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

He is talking to me—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, that is not in order, Senator Wong and Senator Ryan. Senator Smith, start again. Order!

Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator Scullion. Will the minister update the Senate on the harmful impacts of petrol sniffing in remote Indigenous communities and how the government is reducing petrol sniffing across these areas?

Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Smith for his question and I acknowledge his longstanding interest in the health of Aboriginal communities. Substance misuse, including petrol sniffing, has been a source of illness, death and dysfunction in many remote communities. In some Indigenous communities, I know that petrol sniffing is continuing to have devastating consequences, causing harm particularly to children and young people. Sniffing can lead to behavioural and social problems, and sniffers can end up with serious and irreversible brain and organ damage.

A proven strategy to reduce petrol sniffing, supported by government, is replacing regular unleaded fuel with low-aromatic fuel. However, in some locations, a minority of fuel retailers are reluctant to switch to low-aromatic fuel. Governments' efforts to roll out low-aromatic fuel where there is a community need to reduce sniffing is hampered by fuel retailers that refuse to voluntarily stock the fuel. I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the good work of Senator Siewert in initiating legislation to deal with these few retailers unwilling to sell low-aromatic fuel. I did not support the legislation at the time because I actually thought it was the states' job, but it allows me to deal with those few fuel retailers by designating an area as a low-aromatic fuel area. I believe this will help reduce the potential harm of petrol sniffing.

I need to stress that using powers under the act is a last resort. Every effort is made to negotiate with fuel retailers to voluntarily switch to low-aromatic unleaded fuel. Last week, I used powers under the act to designate areas in and around Tennant Creek and Katherine in the Northern Territory as low-aromatic fuel areas. I took the same action on Palm Island last November. It is great to see that in places like Robertson River the residents are now also supporting the use of low-aromatic fuel in their region. It is now illegal to supply, transport or possess regular unleaded petrol for supply to a person in these regions. I have taken this serious measure in order to stamp out the scourge of petrol sniffing. (Time expired)

Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Can the minister explain how the government is working with communities and stakeholders on the implementation of these strategies to reduce petrol sniffing?

Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My department must consult with the broader community, fuel distributors and fuel retailers before low-aromatic fuel is introduced into an area. A communication plan and support materials are developed and implemented. It is important to inform people who travel through and live in regional areas so that they are aware of the benefits of low-aromatic unleaded fuel. Low-aromatic fuel is a similar price and can be used in the same engines as regular unleaded fuel.

A few people have complained that low-aromatic unleaded fuel is bad for their engines—it is simply not true. The government has worked with the fuel experts who produce the fuel, both BP and Viva Energy Australia; there is absolutely no evidence to support these claims. My department is continuing to work with people in the communities of Tennant Creek, Katherine and Palm Island, including fuel retailers and distributors, health and education workers and local priests, to ensure the transition to low-aromatic unleaded fuel goes smoothly.

Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Minister, have these strategies to reduce petrol sniffing been successful in other parts of Australia, like my home state of Western Australia?

Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The introduction of low-aromatic unleaded fuel has a proven track record in reducing petrol sniffing. Low-aromatic fuel has been sold in Alice Springs since 2005. It is now available in over 150 locations. Research indicates an 88 per cent decrease in the number of people sniffing where low-aromatic unleaded fuel has been introduced. This government will continue to work with fuel retailers across the country to voluntarily stock low-aromatic unleaded fuel in areas where petrol sniffing is prevalent.

Every young person in our community is important. They are the future of our towns and our regions, and we need to ensure that they live in safe and healthy environments. Low-aromatic fuel has a proven track record of helping to reduce the harmful effects of petrol sniffing.

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.