Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett is calling on the Palaszczuk government to ensure Bundaberg is top priority to tackle the crystal methamphetamine (ice) epidemic in communities across Queensland.
Mr Bennett noted that the new draft ice policy released by the Labor Government this week included summits across regional Queensland, but Bundaberg had been cut out of the consultation process.
“We are seeing an alarming spike in illicit drug use in regional communities, including in the Bundaberg and Burnett region, so I would have thought the government would have ensured that our region wasn’t completely ignored,” Mr Bennett said.
“Local stakeholders and those on the frontline of this ice epidemic are crying out for more support and early intervention and other initiatives. They know this insidious drug is a threat in our community and they need the government’s support.
“I’m really disappointed that our region hasn’t been given the opportunity to partake in a summit locally to deal with this important issue.
“To add insult to injury, the government has thrown money at hospital and health services across the state to fund targeted responses to the illicit drug, but the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service has seemingly missed out.”
Mr Bennett labelled the Palaszczuk Government’s new draft policy as weak compared to the LNP Opposition’s five-point plan to tackle the scourge of crystal methamphetamine.
“Labor’s newly announced half-cooked policy is not only belated, but it’s in draft form,” he said.
“The Federal Government had a National Ice Summit and Taskforce that reported in 2015 and provided a 250-page roadmap.
“The Taskforce made 38 recommendations and a National Ice Action Strategy was signed by state leaders, including Annastacia Palaszczuk at COAG in December 2015.
“Despite this growing scourge, it has taken the Palaszczuk Labor Government two years to announce a plan to tackle ice – a draft plan at that.
“Here we are two years down the track watching the issue escalate and waiting for action.”
Mr Bennett said the LNP has already released a comprehensive five-point action plan to take ice of our streets throughout crime prevention, drug addiction services and strong enforcements.
The LNP’s five-point plan to tackle ice:
1. Dob in a dealer: $1 million to encourage the community to report information to Crime Stoppers Queensland
2. Keeping bikie clubhouses closed: only the LNP has the proven track record of closing down criminal bikie gang clubhouses
3. Drug addiction services: working with the Federal Government to deliver additional treatment services, particularly for rural and remote Queensland communities and ensuring targeted support through Queensland Health initiatives
4. Law enforcement co-operation: ensuring our state and commonwealth law enforcement agencies work together and tackle ice supply and distribution across Queensland
5. Increased prevention: through community awareness programs targeting high-risk Queenslanders
ENDS.
Thursday, February 16, 2017