No votes for ratbags

WITH so many candidates, it was only a matter of time before Saturday week’s Darwin Lord Mayoral election campaign started to generate lively public debate.

This week, the spotlight has fallen on Socialist Alliance candidate Ruth Ratcliffe’s election platform, which is interesting to say the least.

Ms Ratcliffe wants to see safe drug injecting houses set up in Darwin City and is also campaigning for the legalisation of all drugs.

The question on both counts is whether they are local or Territory government issues but they will still create plenty of comment, even if unlikely to generate a great deal of support at the ballot box.

While the Territory’s cannabis laws could best be described as liberal, legislation on harder drugs is similar to everywhere else in Australia – tough.

Those violently opposed to Ms Ratcliffe’s vision splendid – and they would be in the majority – would believe Darwin would become the haven for hard drug users under her plan.

One of the most appealing facets of democracy, Territory-style, is that everyone is free to air their opinions, no matter how different to the mainstream.

Ms Ratcliffe’s views will no doubt have supporters who believe open drug laws would not greatly change the fabric of Territory society.

Perhaps Ms Ratcliffe and her supporters should look at the huge impact legal drugs such as tobacco and alcohol have had on Territory society.

Ms Ratcliffe and her supporters may well have some valid ideas to improve the Territory but as long as she proposes ratbaggery, those views will never be taken seriously.

Newshawk: http://nt.socialist-alliance.org/
Pubdate: 7th March 2002
Source: Northern Territory News (Editorial)
Website: http://www.ntnews.com.au
Email: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Copyright: 2002 Northern Territory News