[Greens-Media] Senate backs Greens' urgency motion on petrol sniffing

[Oquist, Ben (Sen B. Brown)]

Tuesday, 16th August 2005

Senate backs Greens' urgency motion on petrol sniffing


The Senate this afternoon backed the Greens' urgency motion calling for a roll-out of BP's vapourless 'Opal' petrol in Central Australia.

The motion was supported by the Democrats, Labor Opposition and was not opposed by the Government.

"While it is not the whole answer to this problem, which is a national disgrace, replacing harmful petrol with sniffless petrol will save dozens of lives," Senator Brown said.

"To do nothing is to risk hundreds more youngsters being brain damaged, together with destructive and violent behaviour, breakdown in families and loss of opportunity for communities to progress.

"The $8-10 million required makes the measure a very achievable and, instant contribution towards ending petrol sniffing," Senator Brown said.

The motion agreed by the Senate reads:

'That, in the opinion of the Senate, the following is a matter of urgency:
 
The need for the Australian Government to address the scourge of petrol sniffing in Indigenous communities by implementing the comprehensive roll-out of Opal Fuel through the entire Central Desert Region'.


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