Ministerial Statement 16 May 2002
Toyne, Peter Howard
Australian Labor Party
Media Releases for 09th Assembly 2001 - 2005; Media Releases; ParliamentNT
2002-05-16
Made available by via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT).
English
Northern Territory Government
application/pdf
Issued as a Media Release
Northern Territory Government
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/76591
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/338374
Three Point Plan to Get Tough on Drugs. The Bills have been developed by the Department of Justice in close consultation with the NT Police to ensure that the new powers, offences, and other amendments give police the tools they need to attack the drug trade. I am pleased to report it is the view of police that a number of drug houses are likely to cease operation once our legislation passes. It is certainly the Governments intention to make business extremely unprofitable and uncomfortable for drug traffickers, manufacturers and dealers. I am pleased to be able to report tonight that the Witness Protection Bill passed by the Parliament this week will operate to support our Three Point Plan. That legislation enables the Northern Territory to participate in the National Witness Protection Scheme. The scheme is designed for witnesses who agree to give evidence against organised crime groups or in relation to other major crimes who may be at risk of serious reprisals or injury, either before or after the trial. Police already provide protection for those witnesses by locating them in secure accommodation before they give evidence. The new legislation will address longer term and ongoing threats by providing mechanisms for witnesses to change identity and start a new life in another location, if this becomes necessary. Hopefully, that will only be in rare cases. This legislation will support our Three Point Plan against Drug Crime by protecting witnesses who are prepared to speak out against drug dealers and organised crime. A successful drug conviction is often dependent upon a witness giving evidence. We must protect witnesses and their families from being threatened and intimidated. Our Witness Protection Act will be complemented by additional legislation which this Parliament will debate in June. I am also pleased to be able to report to the Parliament that I have requested my Department of Justice to work with the NT Police to comprehensively review the Misuse of Drugs Act. The review will look at any additional amendments which can be made to strengthen our drug laws and ensure they operate effectively to protect the community from drug dealers and illicit drugs. We are not going to give drug dealers any comfort zone. We want to move them on from their place of activity, we want to make it a lot harder for them to re-establish their distribution networks, and we want to confiscate their profits and cripple their businesses. I believe this Governments illicit drugs policies under its Three Point Plan to Get Tough on Drugs reflect the wishes of Territorians to protect our young people from harm and to reduce illicit drugs and drug related crime in our community. The Government went to the electorate last year with a clear plan to tackle illicit drugs in our community and we are delivering on that commitment. to the top Northern Territory Government | Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy | Search | Feedback | Sitemap | Ministerial Releases | Online Services | Home