[Greens-Media] Media Release - Di Natale to ask the people’s question

[Blyberg, Andrew (Sen R. Di Natale)]

Media Release

Dr Richard Di Natale
Greens Senator for Victoria
 
25/06/2013

Di Natale to ask the people’s question

Australian Greens health spokesperson, Senator Richard Di Natale, will ask Minister Conroy about illicit drugs today in Senate Question Time as part of the People’s Question. The questions were proposed and voted on by the users of online citizen activist group OurSay.Org.

“I’m very pleased to offer the Australian community an opportunity to have their questions answered in the Australian Parliament,” said Senator Di Natale.

“The other parties often waste Question Time on political point scoring but the Greens are determined to be a genuine voice for the Australian community.

“As a former drug and alcohol clinician, I welcome OurSay’s decision to focus on the topic of illicit drugs because it is an important area of public policy yet it rarely gets the debate it deserves in parliament. The topic is also quite timely given reports over the weekend that Australia’s illicit drugs market is worth $7 billion a year. 

“On Saturday I renewed my call for the issue to be examined by the Productivity Commission because we need to take an evidence-based approach to drugs. I look forward to seeing what Minister Conroy will say today when I ask him the People’s Questions.”

Media contact: Andrew Blyberg 0457 901 600