Govt defends efforts to fight petrol sniffing

The Northern Territory Government says it has done a lot in its first term of government to address the scourge of petrol sniffing.

But the Opposition believes not enough is being done.

Debate on petrol sniffing intensified after last week's coronial inquest into three deaths in central Australia.

Community Services Minister Delia Lawrie says $10 million is being spent over five years to address the problem.

"There is work that's being done and...is it enough? No, [we] do have to do more, yes," she said.

Ms Lawrie says the Territory is hoping for more federal support to roll out non-sniff fuel.

"It is a partnership, we do need the Commonwealth on board in this, we do need the Commonwealth to look at rolling out Opal [non-sniff fuel] regionally rather than just community by community," he said.

"They can do it, they should do it, there should be a whole look at the taxes around petrol and look at some of those dollars going back into preventing some of this tragedy."

Opposition Leader Jodeen Carney says the Government has been too slow in rolling out new laws which crack down on petrol sniffing.

"If they were serious about solving this dreadful problem then I would have thought that they would fast track their legislation," she said.

Ms Carney says she will question the Government on the issue in Parliament this week.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Tue, 16 August 2005
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia Web)
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Copyright: 2005 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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