Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Williams for his question and his very real interest in what is an important matter for the nation. No matter where I go across the country families and communities are incredibly concerned about the impact of drugs in their communities and, indeed, right across the nation. This government is of course against all forms of illegal drugs and has a tough on drugs policy, and that is how it should be. We are continuing to work with both health and law enforcement organisations across all states and territories, and I note that on Sunday the New South Wales government announced a very comprehensive package to combat ice out in the community, including new laws to make more ice dealers face life in prison. That is really important and I think it shows the very real commitment that the New South Wales coalition government has to what is an issue concerning so many across the country. The Premier, Mike Baird, and Deputy Premier, Troy Grant, announced that new measures would include increased roadside drug testing by police, mandatory state-wide online reporting of pseudoephedrine sales in pharmacies and more funding for treatment and rehabilitation services, which I understand has been very well received a right across the state.

Federally, this year we have committed around $200 million to front-line treatment services, for drug and alcohol treatment and for research and education across a range of areas. In particular, at the end of last year I reshaped the Australian National Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drugs so it could more effectively report to government. It has membership from a very wide range of areas—health, justice, Indigenous, mental health, research and policy areas—and I have tasked them, as their first priority, to look at the issue of ice, of methamphetamines, and report back to government on what is a very important issue.