Page 2487 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 31 July 2019
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Magistrate Bowles in that space. It is important that we look at these models to see what can be learnt.
Mrs Kikkert’s motion calls on the government to look at whether compulsory therapeutic drug treatment could work in the ACT. Doing nothing is not working. We have had many opportunities over the years to try to treat complex substance use disorder before young people graduate out of Bimberi into the AMC. We owe it to the young people and their families that Mrs Kikkert so passionately supports and represents to do everything in our power to provide services that will meet the needs of young people.
I am a bit flabbergasted by the approach of Minister Stephen-Smith on these matters. I commend her for her attention to detail, but there is an overweening nitpickedness about her approach to motions of this sort. Rather than just embracing the motivation of Mrs Kikkert and supporting the motion we always have to have a little niggle. We always have to prove that we are more switched on or a bit more in touch than anybody else instead of just standing up and saying, “Mrs Kikkert is right”.
To Ms Stephen-Smith’s credit, she acknowledged the passion and the commitment of Mrs Kikkert to these issues. But to say, “Well, I want to delete something because it isn’t really necessary”, is the sort of mean-spirited nitpicking which is not becoming in a minister. The minister then critiqued Mrs Kikkert on not quoting enough, and that highlights that nitpicking and shows poor spirit.
This happened with the previous motion moved by Ms Lawder and I see it again now. Instead of just saying, “Thank you for bringing this to us. Yes, we will work together,” no, we always have to have a little bit to show, “Well, we’re the government and we’re just that little bit smarter than you.” That is not the case; I would back Mrs Kikkert and her commitment to young people and her work in this space over the work of government ministers and their nitpickedness any day of the week and twice on Sunday. I commend Mrs Kikkert for her work and I commend the motion. I look forward to a very positive report from the government on the last sitting day of the year.
MR RAMSAY (Ginninderra—Attorney-General, Minister for the Arts and Cultural Events, Minister for Building Quality Improvement, Minister for Business and Regulatory Services, Minister for Government Services and Procurement and Minister for Seniors and Veterans) (11.54): This motion presents a timely opportunity to reflect on the importance of a harm minimisation approach to drug and alcohol abuse. Mrs Kikkert has called on the government to explore therapeutic drug treatment models, and I thank Mrs Kikkert for bringing the motion to the Assembly. I also note the passion with which she has spoken. I also commend Minister Stephen-Smith for ensuring that the motion that is considered through the amendment reflects full accuracy. It is always important for the Assembly to pay attention to the detail of the motions that we are considering and to take on not just the spirit of the motion but also the precision of the wording. That is incumbent upon us in this place.
This government is very pleased to prioritise treatment and harm minimisation. In the context of the matters that have already been raised by Minister Stephen-Smith I will
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