3 December 2004
Territory's Landmark Legislation Taken to Federal Level
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Marion Scrymgour MLA
Minister for Family and Community Services
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Following the introduction of the Territory’s landmark petrol sniffing legislation into Parliament yesterday, Family and Community Services Minister Marion Scrymgour is today briefing fellow Federal and State Ministers on the new law.
Ms Scrymgour is attending the Ministerial Council for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs in Melbourne where she is giving a presentation on the legislation, as well as the Government’s proposed rollout of alternative fuel in remote communities.
Petrol sniffing will be banned under the Volatile Substance Abuse Prevention Bill, giving police the power to seize volatile substances.
“The Northern Territory is the first jurisdiction in Australia to introduce legislation banning petrol sniffing,” Ms Scrymgour said.
“I believe this to be the most important initiative in fighting petrol sniffing ever seen in the Northern Territory , and I look forward to briefing other Ministers on this important initiative.”
An additional $10 million has been allocated by the NT Government to implement programs and services to support the legislation over the next five years. This includes safe houses in urban areas, outstations and other reform treatment programs.
Ms Scrymgour said alternative low lead fuels will also be discussed at the Ministerial Council, with Department representatives briefing the conference on the proposed rollout of the Comgas fuel.
“There are other initiatives outside the Volatile Substance Abuse Bill that can also go along way towards reducing substance abuse – including increasing the availability of fuel that does not have the same intoxicating effects as standard fuel,” she said.
“This fuel is available and the NT Government will be working to increase its availability while decreasing the availability of intoxicating fuels in areas where petrol sniffing occurs.
“Communities where Comgas is the only fuel sold experience lower levels of petrol sniffing.”