JOINT STATEMENT

Comments by Stuart Grimley MP, State Leader, Member for Western Victoria, and Tania Maxwell MP, Member for Northern Victoria, about private member’s bill the Reason Party wants to introduce in Parliament this week to decriminalise drug use:

February 20, 2022

Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party works with victims of drug-fuelled crime every day.

There is no way we could support a bill to decriminalise all drugs.

While we appreciate Fiona Patten’s drive to reduce stigma and increase help for people with drug addiction, we think there are other ways.

In Victoria today, more than 4000 people are on waiting lists for public alcohol and other drug (AOD) rehabilitation, including those ordered by our courts to attend these sessions.

We want to see drug courts and rehabilitation services extended in regional areas. If Victoria can’t properly fund rehabilitation and detox services, then what hope do we have of reducing drug-fuelled crime and getting people the help they need?

Police already use discretion and thousands of people every year are cautioned and diverted through our justice system for drug related matters.

Illicit drugs cause havoc in our communities. Better health services and education is the best form of harm-reduction, not decriminalisation.