MEMBER for Mildura Ali Cupper has lambasted a stinging National Party attack that she failed to condemn comments attributed to her Reason coalition leader Fiona Patten as a “silly political game”.
Shadow Minister for Mental Health and The Nationals’ Member for Lowan Emma Kealy called on Ms Cupper to publicly disapprove of Ms Patten describing a police drug operation at an annual MardiGrass festival in Nimbin as “another massive overreach from the New South Wales authorities”.
Ms Patten made the comments in State Parliament last week, saying cannabis activists from around the country came together for a united call for action on drug law reform.
She said while she was not able to attend the festival, it was a great success despite attendees being targeted by police.
“I would like to make a special shout-out to the New South Wales police, who yet again decided to target the event through their so-called random drug tests, where they stopped every single car — randomly — going to the festival,” she told State Parliament.
“It is yet again another massive overreach from the New South Wales authorities.”
Ms Kealy said the commentary again painted a concerning picture of just how out-of-touch the Reason Party had strayed.
“Addiction is destroying lives and tearing families apart, but Ali Cupper is silent while her Reason coalition leader slaps down police for carrying out enforcement action against illegal drugs,” Ms Kealy said.
“The Mildura community is crying out for action to help local people get off drugs and get their lives back on track, including with local residential rehabilitation facilities,” she said.
“Too many individuals and their families in Mildura still face the harrowing reality of drug addiction, with rates of suicide and family violence, and drug and alcohol abuse remaining far too high in the local region.
“Wait lists are getting worse, not better, under the Andrews Labor Government, with people who are seeking help now waiting more than a year to get access to the treatment they urgently want and need.”
Ms Kealy said Ms Patten’s comments were another example of the Reason Party’s “hypocritical, radical policy agenda straying into dangerous territory”.
“This time it’s against our police – who are just trying to do their job keeping our community safe.”
But Ms Cupper said Ms Kealy’s comments were “typical National Party distraction politics”.
She said Ms Patten had been a long-term advocate for harm minimisation on the road to overcoming addiction.
“What Fiona and I are both fighting to achieve is a rehabilitation centre in Mildura while the National Party continues to play their silly political games,” Ms Cupper said.
She said Ms Kealy had drawn a “nonsensical conclusion” over Ms Patten’s comments.
In March this year, Ms Cupper highlighted in State Parliament the need for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in north west Victoria.
She said that while it was acknowledged that the Mallee had above-average numbers of mental health clients as well as those receiving drug and alcohol treatment, access to local support services was limited.
“It is clear that Mildura, not just by my very subjective, biased opinion but from those objective reports and research, needs a culturally appropriate, dedicated 30-bed residential drug and alcohol rehab service where we are,” she said.
“We are asking the government to invest in a drug and alcohol rehab centre to help those of us who have turned to drugs and alcohol and succumbed to addiction to escape pain, loss, trauma and the sort of vulnerability that for too long seemed incongruent with the idea of being mentally tough.
“We need a centre that can rehabilitate the most vulnerable members of our community and break the cycle of using drugs and alcohol to numb the pain of intergenerational trauma.”
