[Greens-Media] Government indicates it may adopt Greens plan on petrol sniffing

[Oquist, Ben (Sen B. Brown)]

Wednesday, 17 August 2005


Government indicates it may adopt Greens plan on petrol sniffing


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

"In a new development the Government tabled a statement indicating it
may back the Greens plan for a rollout of non-sniffable petrol in
Central Australia," Senator Brown said.

The Government statement read in part:

		'The Government is working with NT, SA and the WA
governments to develop new strategies including the possibility of a
regional approach for subsidisation of OPAL petrol.'  (emphasis added).

"I congratulate the Government and urge it to act soon.

"This would be a huge breakthrough and something the community is crying
out for.

"When I visited Central Australia last month a range of Indigenous
communities were promoting this plan," Senator Brown said.

The motion passed unanimously by the Senate today reads:

		That the Senate, noting the scourge of petrol sniffing
in Indigenous communities, calls on the Government to introduce the
comprehensive roll-out of non-sniffable Opal fuel throughout the central
deserts region of Australia.


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