[Greens-Media] Government to look at sniffing petrol replacement

[Oquist, Ben (Sen B. Brown)]

Wednesday, 10th August 2005

Government to look at sniffing petrol replacement

Acting Minister for Indigenous Affairs Senator Chris Ellison has told
Greens Senator Bob Brown that he will investigate the possibility of
combating petrol sniffing by replacing conventional petrol with
vapourless Opal petrol throughout Central Australia. 

In question time, on Tuesday, Senator Brown cited the toll of hundreds
of young Indigenous people addicted to petrol, including 3 deaths last
year and scores more mentally or physically disabled. 

"Australia spends 2-3 billion dollars on its diesel fuel rebate scheme.
Surely we can spare $8-10 million dollars, the subsidy required to
distribute safe Opal petrol in central Australia's main towns, as well
as remoter settlements which the government has helped so far," Senator
Brown said.

Further information: Ben Oquist 02 6277 3170 or 0419 704 095