But amid mounting calls for the decriminalisation of low-level drug possession and use,the state Labor government said that at this stage,it had no intention of acting on any of the suggested reforms.
Under the heading “Labor in government will”,the 2022 state policy platform details a diversion and health-based approach to personal drug use,while increasing penalties for commercial-scale trafficking.
This would include legalising the possession of small quantities of cannabis for personal use,festival pill testing trials – something the government has already beenquietly working towards – and establishing a “full review” of the state’s enforcement approach to personal drug use.
While voted on by everyone from grassroots members to senior party and parliamentary leaders,the policy platform is more akin to a wishlist for the party when in power,with inclusions that may not be pursued due to time constraints or political and public opposition.
In amajor 2020 report,the Productivity Commission found criminalisation over decades had failed to reduce drug use and supply.
“Even in those jurisdictions where supply has been legalised,most evidence suggests there has been no long-term increase in usage or drug-related harms,” the report said.