NT Government ups the ante
in fight against drug dealers
13 May 2002

Media Releases

The Government will step up its fight against drug dealers in the Territory with the introduction of a comprehensive package of legislation into Parliament this week.

The new laws will target the people who traffic, deal and manufacture drugs in the community, and will be a significant new tool in the fight against drug-related and organised crime in the Territory.

While there will be a strong focus on closing down the drug houses, an integral part of the package will be improved laws to strip drug dealers and other criminals of the profits and assets from their illegal activity and to protect witnesses from intimidation.

Chief Minister Clare Martin said the package was the first installment of the Government’s Three Point Plan to tackle the Territory’s drug problem. This plan focuses on enforcement, treatment and rehabilitation, and prevention.

When implemented, the laws would lead to a law enforcement strategy of zero tolerance on drug production and distribution. "We are coming after the people who profit from the illicit drug trade. "Labor promised at the last election to take up the fight against illicit drugs because the previous CLP Government would not do so.

The CLP claimed the Territory did not have a drug problem. "Territorians know that is a nonsense. They know crime has been on the increase in recent years and that drugs have played a significant part in that rise. "The new laws will give police targeted powers to close down drug houses and freeze the profits of this illicit trade."

Proceeds of crime confiscation

The new Criminal Property Forfeiture Bill will attack the criminal profits and personal assets of drug dealers and others involved in the drugs trade. It will replace the present law, which is largely useless with virtually no assets seized or criminal property confiscated under the existing scheme since it was first introduced.

The new legislation would provide a way of confiscating property outside the criminal jurisdiction. It would allow for the confiscation of property of a declared drug trafficker – a person with three or more convictions for serious drug offences. It will allow the proceeds of crime to be frozen and forfeited through civil proceedings rather than requiring a criminal conviction, and will bring the Territory into line with most other jurisdictions.

Among the measures included in this legislation was a provision that would prevent criminals exploiting their notoriety for commercial purposes such as selling their stories to the media.

Witness Intimidation

Successful drug prosecutions are often dependent on witnesses giving evidence. Witnesses must feel safe and secure in the knowledge there is protection at hand. The criminal justice system relies on the co-operation of members of the community to come forward and give their evidence. Intimidation of witnesses undermines the operation of our justice system and cannot be tolerated.

Previously it has not been an offence in the NT to intimidate a person who has given evidence. This bill will provide protection from intimidation to witnesses who have or are about to give evidence. This legislation will cover direct or indirect intimidation i.e. it will apply to intimidation directed at a relative or friend of a witness.

Any person who exhibits any intimidating behaviour towards witnesses of others will be prosecuted. The maximum penalty of seven years will be imposed on people found guilty of intimidation. Attorney General Peter Toyne said Territorians wanted the Government and police in particular to rid the community of drug houses and start tackling the problem of addicts committing crimes to fund their drug habits.

Mr Toyne said it is estimated that about half of all property crimes are directly related to drugs in the community with evidence of some drugs being supplied in exchange for stolen property. "We are focusing on the growing problem of amphetamines and the organised networks and gangs in involved in manufacturing and distributing illegal drugs in the Territory. "And we are reflecting the wishes of the overwhelming majority of Territory families who are sick and tired of the threat posed by illicit drugs."

Debate on the legislation will begin in Parliament on June 18. This will enable further community debate on the proposed new laws.

NT drugs bill under fire
15 May, 2002

The Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation says the Misuse of Drugs Act due to be tabled in the Northern Territory Parliament today will do nothing to stop the production, distribution and consumption of drugs.

The Labor Government says the Bill will stamp out drug dealing in the Northern Territory by removing the profit incentive for dealers with increased law enforcement.

Dr Alex Wodak says what the Government is proposing has been tried around the world for decades without success and is now considered draconian by many countries.

"More and more people are coming to the conclusion, as President George W Bush did himself in February this year that if there's demand for drugs there's always going to be a supply," he said. "What we really need to do is work on the demand end of the equation.

"We shouldn't give up on the supply side but we have to regard this as primarily a health and social issue rather than primarily a law enforcement problem."

Government stands by its tough new drug laws
14 May 2002

Media Releases

The Territory Government would not be deterred in its fight against drug crime despite a disgraceful protest in Parliament, Chief Minister Clare Martin said today.

"We are determined to tackle and win the fight against crime at all levels and illicit drugs and drug dealers must be targeted - we will not relent," she said. "Drug related crime has been ignored in the Territory for far too long - just yesterday a local chemist was robbed by someone allegedly wanting drugs.

"The previous administration had their heads in the sand describing the level of drug crime as ‘minuscule’ it is not minuscule, it is a growing problem and one we will tackle front on." Ms Martin made her comments after a small group of anti-drug law protesters stormed Parliament House this morning.

Click for enlarged view NAP and PARIAH mob shortly after the action

The protest came as the Government prepared to introduce the first component in its three-point plan to tackle drug crime. "This week the Government will introduce tough drug crime initiatives never seen before in the Territory," she said. "The first component is made up of the Drug Premises Bill, Criminal Forfeiture Bill and the Witness Intimidation Bill.

"Despite the Opposition’s attempts to again muddy the waters, this legislation is unlike anything seen before in the Northern Territory. "That is why we have developed it to plug a severe, and exposed, gap in existing drug laws brought about by our predecessors’ inaction and ignorance.

"This Government is tough on all crime and is determined to create a safer society."

Security levels raised at NT Parliament
15 May 2002

Security at the Northern Territory's Parliament this morning has been upgraded after 11 people yesterday stormed the chamber. Network Against Prohibition members ran into the Legislative Assembly and jumped on furniture to demonstrate against the Labor Government's proposed new drug laws.

The group was able to get into the chamber through an unlocked door. This morning, a Chubb security officer is standing outside that door...

...there are four Northern Territory uniformed police officers in the foyer of Parliament House.