National Ice Taskforce

Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke MP, said tackling the ice scourge that is harming so many communities is a top priority for the Coalition Government.

Alex Hawke said Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s announcement this week that the Commonwealth would form a National Ice Taskforce, headed by former Victorian Chief Commissioner of Police Ken Lay, was a vital step in ensuring that the campaign against ice is being fought in a coordinated, targeted and effective way.

The overall purpose of the Taskforce will be to examine all existing efforts to address ice and identify ways to take a systematic, comprehensive and coordinated approach to education, health and law enforcement.

Because the ice scourge affects the whole community, the Taskforce will consult widely to ensure that all aspects of this menace are being addressed.

Ice use is a growing problem across the country. It is ruining individuals, destroying families, and harming communities.

The Australian Crime Commission considers ice poses the highest risk of all illicit drugs to our nation. Sadly, more and more Australians are touched by the ice epidemic every day.

Following advice from the Taskforce the Commonwealth Government will be working with States and Territories to develop a National Ice Action Strategy to tackle the growing scourge of ice.

The Taskforce will provide an interim report to the Prime Minister by the middle of this year.

The Prime Minister will take the report to the first subsequent meeting of the Council of Australian Governments to ensure that the campaign against ice is fought in a coordinated, targeted and effective way.

People interested in submitting to the Taskforce should register with my office by email at alex.hawke.mp@aph.gov.au or by phone 9899 7211.