28th November 2023 12:22
Victorian Legislative Council, Melbourne
Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:21):
My question is for the Minister for Police represented by Minister Erdogan. In your response to my question on the management of drug testing dogs with respect to medicinal cannabis, you referred to the police manual and said that the use of sniffer dogs on public transport promoted public safety, crime prevention and public trust in police. These operations do no such thing.
They create a climate of fear. For medicinal cannabis patients, the invasiveness of this experience is compounded further as they are treated like criminals for simply taking their legally prescribed medication. So my question is: what evidence does the minister have that cannabis detection has any relationship with public safety?
Enver ERDOGAN
(Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:21):
I thank Ms Payne for her question and her passion on this issue. In line with the practices of this place, I will refer that question on to the police minister in the other place and get an appropriate written response.
Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:21):
I thank the minister for referral. By way of supplementary, I ask: what steps are you taking to have the police manual updated so that it specifically has a section that relates to medicinal cannabis patients?
Enver ERDOGAN
(Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:22):
I thank Ms Payne for her supplementary question. I will also refer that to the Minister for Police in the other place for a response.
Written Answer
Received: 30 November 2023
Hon. Enver Erdogan MLC
(Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support)
Substantive Question:
Victoria Police deploy detection dogs to screen public places for persons to be searched under the provision of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substance Act 1981 (the Act). These police operations provide a highly visible police presence which in turn promotes community safety, public reassurance and reduces harm and offending.
As with any police operation, and more specifically when a search of a person is conducted, police will always consider the person’s human rights to ensure that any action taken is proportionate, lawful, appropriate, and necessary in the circumstances.
Supplementary Question:
Updates to the Victoria Police Manual are a matter for the Chief Commissioner. The Chief Commissioner will request the Victoria Police Manual be updated where a need or gap is identified.
[ENDS]
