MEDIA RELEASE

Reporting date extended for Drugs of Dependence Committee

The Legislative Assembly has changed the Committee’s reporting date from the last sitting day in October 2021 to 30 November 2021.

The Committee has also published answers to some questions on notice that arose at the hearings, including from the Minister for Health.

The Committee is inquiring into the Drugs of Dependence (Personal Use) Amendment Bill 2021. This Bill seeks to amend the Drugs of Dependence Act 1989 to lower the penalty for simple drug offences (i.e., the possession of small quantities of drugs such as MDMA, cocaine and heroin). It also provides for simple drug offences to be treated in the same way in which the Act treats simple cannabis offences.

The Committee is examining the Bill, policy best practice, the impacts of current ACT policy, and funding for drug control and harm reduction.

For further information, go to www.parliament.act.gov.au/parliamentary-business/in-committees/committees/select-committee-on-the-drugs-of-dependence-personal-use-amendment-bill-2021/inquiry-into-the-drugs-of-dependence-personal-use-amendment-bill-2021.

22 September 2021

STATEMENT ENDS.

Committee Chair, Mr Peter Cain MLA on (02) 6205 1927

Committee Secretary on (02) 6205 0129 or at LASelectCommitteeDDAB2021@parliament.act.gov.au