[Greens-Media] Overdue sniffer dogs report: Greens force release

[Alison Orme]

MEDIA RELEASE - 11 SEPTEMBER 2006
	
Overdue Ombudsman’s report on sniffer dogs: Greens force release

Greens MP and justice spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has used parliament to force the government to release a long overdue report by the NSW Ombudsman on his review of increased sniffer dog powers.

“I was pleased that Upper House MPs agreed to support my motion that requires the Attorney General to release the report using MPs’ ‘call for papers’ power,” Ms Rhiannon said.  

“The Greens suspect the Attorney General has delayed tabling the report because it confirms the Ombudsman’s preliminary observations that ramped up sniffer dog powers are failing to catch major drug dealers.

“The Drug Detection Dogs Act 2001 required that the Ombudsman spend two years reviewing the operation of the new laws, in co-operation with NSW Police.  

“This review period ended in February 2004. More than two years later we still have no report. 

“The Ombudsman’s preliminary paper revealed sniffer dog operations to be another expensive failure for police. 

“Increased powers for police sniffer dogs was a PR exercise for Labor bent on badging itself as being tough on drugs. 
 
“Sniffer dog operations are doing little more than netting young people using small amounts of recreational drugs. They have not caught the Mr Bigs of the drug world as promised by the government.

 “Young people have been harassed on the street, on public transport, in pubs and at events like the Big Day Out. Meanwhile big drug dealers and manufacturers have got off scot-free.

“It is well know that fear of sniffer dogs has encouraged some young people to change from cannabis to more harmful recreational drugs because they are more easily concealed from sniffer dogs. 

“The Ombudsman’s report needs to be made public so a rational public debate is possible on the merits of police sniffer dog operations, Ms Rhiannon said.

More information:  9230 3551; 0427 861 568. Visit the Greens ‘Sniff Off!’ campaign page: http://www.lee.greens.org.au/campaigns/snifferdogs.htm 



Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Tues, Wed and alternate Mons)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au