Govt to supply new 'unsniffable' fuel

A petrol company has developed a special type of fuel that cannot be used by petrol sniffers to get high.

The Federal Health Minister says that since 1998 the Government has ensured aviation fuel has been substituted for normal fuel in some Indigenous communities.

Aviation fuel does not contain aromatic hydrocarbons, which are attractive to sniffers.

Tony Abbott says that is no longer possible because aviation fuel must now contain the hydrocarbons for environmental reasons.

However, the Minister has told Parliament that a new type of fuel has been developed and the Government will pay to supply it to Indigenous communities.

"[It is] a special type of unleaded fuel without any aromatic hydrocarbons specially designed for use in remote Indigenous communities," Mr Abbott said.

"I'm pleased to say that thanks to this, the Government will continue to spend $1 million a year supplying unsniffable fuel to remote communities where petrol sniffing is a potential problem."

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: 17th February 2005
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Website: http://www.abc.net.au
Email: comments@your.abc.net.au
Copyright: 2005 Australian Broadcasting Corporation