Debates Day 3 - Thursday 19 November 2015
Parliamentary Record 24
Debates for 12th Assembly 2012 - 2016; ParliamentNT; Parliamentary Record; 12th Assembly 2012 - 2016
2015-11-19
Made available by the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
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Debates
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DEBATES Thursday 19 November 2015 7414 available in each of the Territorys adult correctional facilities and youth detention centres is also a priority. Reducing the manufacture and supply of ice can be facilitated by mandating real-time, online recording of pseudoephedrine sales in pharmacies to assist police in the detection of clandestine laboratories. It was also evident from the public forums the committee held that the police service needs to increase its public engagement strategies, including promotion of Crime Stoppers, since many members of the community are reticent about informing police about drug users, drug dealers and drug houses. To assist police in determining the geographical distribution of ice and other illicit substances, the committee has recommended that the government undertake a trial of waste-water analysis to more accurately assess the extent of criminal offending relating to ice use. The committee also recommended introduction of mandatory alcohol and drug testing of individuals arrested for offences involving violence. In conjunction with legislation currently before the Assembly regarding the introduction of random drug testing of drivers and declared drug detection areas, these recommendations will better equip police to tackle ice and other illicit drugs that have such a negative impact on our community. During the course of the inquiry it became apparent that frontline workers across a range of professions lacked the confidence to identify and respond to ice use, given the propensity of ice users to experience psychotic episodes and display aggressive and violent behaviour. It is imperative that we ensure frontline workers are provided with an appropriate level of training, including information about ice and its effects, de-escalation techniques and workplace health and safety measures. While it is clear that the Northern Territory needs to ensure that it is well-equipped to manage the impact of ice and other illicit substances as they emerge, witnesses impressed on the committee the importance of not losing sight of the fact that the abuse of alcohol is a far greater problem in the Territory, and that strategies to address ice should not be implemented at the expense of alcoholrelated harm initiatives. Madam Speaker, I thank the staff who work for the Legislative Assembly for all the work that went into putting together this report. I believe it is in excess of 30 000 words. I thank other members of parliament who contributed positively and effectively into this report and the recommendations and findings of this committee. I appreciate the collegiality in which we have worked together. I have a great respect for the input each of them have had and I thank them for the quality of the work they have done and the manner in which they have conducted themselves. MOTION Print Paper Ice Select Committee Report Breaking the Ice: Inquiry into ice use in the Northern Territory Mr BARRETT (Blain): Madam Speaker, I move that the report be printed and seek leave to continue my remarks at a later time. Motion agreed to; report printed. Leave granted. MOTION Note Statement October Business Month Continued from earlier this day. Mrs PRICE (Local Government and Community Services): Madam Speaker, I attended the launch breakfast of October Business Month in Alice Springs at the convention centre. I heard the inspirational story of Ruslan Kogan and how he started one of Australias largest e-commerce businesses. He spoke of the challenges he faced when he tried to create an online business selling televisions. He talked about how he needed to take responsibility for himself and his own happiness, and, finally, of the need to solve problems one at a time. One of the things that resonated with me was that he grew up in public housing. As Minister for Housing, it reminds me that some of our tenants have enormous potential. All Territorians have potential and this government is about unlocking our potential. This week we have seen the Chief Minister and the Giles Country Liberals government unlock the potential of our gas industry with the pipeline. One part of the Territory that has a great deal of potential is our remote communities. Our remote communities have an enormous potential for economic development for business and enterprise. Our government attempts to make it much easier for businesses to occur on communities. We are working to cut red tape to make it easier for our people to start their own businesses. For example, in Parks and Wildlife we have introduced online applications for tour operators and are looking at other opportunities for economic development in parks.