Drug and Alcohol Testing

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:30): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Police questions on drug testing.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: Yesterday, the member for Fisher in the other place made the following comment:

There is conjectural evidence that an overbearing police presence and zero tolerance policies are forcing partygoers to take unnecessary risks, such as overloading on drugs.

My questions are:

1. Does the minister agree with and support the comments made by his colleague in relation to a police presence and zero tolerance policies contributing towards young people taking 'unnecessary risks such as overloading on drugs'?

2. Has the minister consulted with SAPOL, its commissioner and the Police Association to learn their views on the imputation that their presence at events leads young people to undertake risky behaviours and subsequently the tragic events that can occur as a result of such behaviour?

3. Does the minister support a zero tolerance policy towards drugs at musical events and, if not, what level of tolerance does he believe is appropriate?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:31): I thank the honourable member for his question. First and foremost, I absolutely support SAPOL and its endeavours to make sure that we adhere to a zero tolerance policy in respect of drug consumption at music festivals. The tragedies that occurred and have received recent publicity, that occurred as a result of people consuming drugs at music festivals, is in no way, shape or form the fault of SAPOL.

The actions of individuals who consume drugs at music festivals are simply the result of their own behaviour and I do not think it is fair for the honourable member's question to impute that somehow SAPOL should take responsibility for the consumption of drugs. In short, to answer the question, I support all SAPOL's endeavours as they make operational decisions to try to make sure that music festivals are safe and drug free.