Labors 2007 Platform

[iamnotacop]

2007 national labor platform and constitution

 

http://www.alp.org.au/download/2007_national_platform.pdf

 

Chapter 12 is the one that we would be interested in, which can be found on this page

http://www.alp.org.au/platform/chapter_12.php

 

Here are my thoughts on a few of them.

 

<1> Labor believes that a fundamental objective of government is to work with the community to provide greater security for all Australians and their families. To achieve this, the objectives of the criminal law should be to:

 

* prevent crime;

* protect the personal safety and property of all Australians;

 

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OK, decriminalize drugs and regulate them and give proper support/education to users. This would decrease a lot of crime and make people feel safer.

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<6>Labor's response to the tragedy of drug abuse and related crime will be comprehensive. Labor is committed to a strategy for dealing with illicit drugs that aims to improve safety in the community by reducing the level of drug-related crime; to reduce the spread of illness; to keep people alive; and to find new ways to reduce the use of illicit drugs in our community.

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Once again this policy can be met by abolishing prohibition of all drugs, and finding a better solution to the challenge.

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<7>Labor realises that an effective illicit drug strategy must address all areas of drug use and have prevention, early intervention and harm minimisation as its underpinning philosophy. Labor's illicit drugs strategy will support and promote:

 

* harm reduction through programs designed to tackle the health and social problems caused by drug use;

* national coordination and cooperation between governments;

* state government initiatives, such as supervised injecting places, aimed at reducing the costs to the community of illicit drug use and which will provide access to counselling and rehabilitation and facilitate scientific and medical research;

* the development of programs and strategies based on expert advice, the adoption of performance objectives and a coordinated approach to research;

* purposeful law enforcement strategies, including the development of specialist drug courts and diversionary programs, designed to get drug users out of the traditional criminal justice system and into a comprehensive range of treatment, rehabilitation and support programs;

* adequate funding of law enforcement agencies such as the Australian Federal Police, which aim to break drug smuggling and other crime organisations;

* effective criminal and civil law reform aimed at deterring and punishing the professional criminal elements in the illicit drug trade;

* reduction directed at reducing the number of people taking up illicit drug use through targeted education programs for young people and users, and a strengthening of community and family involvement in programs across Australia;

* tackling the social dimension with programs to give young Australians hope and opportunity through employment, education and training and real life options and encouraging greater support among family, friends and community networks; and

* improving law enforcement at our borders and on the streets, increasing liaison and coordination with overseas law enforcement agencies and reducing the profitability of the drug trade.

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All sounds pretty fair. It is time the users stopped being punished as much as the big dealers. I would prefer to have to go into a drug court and diversionary programs, rather than putting up with Screws and Big Bubba. Research, eduction, evaluation and then start again.

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<8>For these strategies to work, all need to be effectively funded and supported by government. They must also be properly evaluated and researched.

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Yes, research, research and then some more research. The "Tough on Drugs" campaign has not been properly evaluated therefore the problems have only got worse.

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<14>Labor supports the creation of national uniform criminal laws. These should include:

 

* a criminal code;

* a code of custody, sentencing and parole, with a specific section on juveniles;

* evidence laws;

* laws controlling the power of arrest and bail, in particular to strictly define the power to arrest without warrant and simplify the laws governing bail;

* laws providing strict controls on the use of firearms and offensive weapons;

* drug laws;

* national standards for dealing with spent convictions;

* national standards for dealing with victims of crime; and

* national standards for Indigenous prisoners which respect, as far as possible, customary law.

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I completely agree that there should be one rule for all, no matter where you live.

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<44>#

 

Government must play an active role in increasing awareness of, simplifying, and reducing the cost of compliance with the law. Labor will take appropriate steps to ensure that legislation and legislative instruments are accessible to all Australians. In particular, Labor will ensure that all legislation and legislative instruments are:

 

* drafted in clear, simple and non-discriminatory language;

* readily available to the public at the time of proclamation, including in printed form and via the internet;

* consolidated in a form which is accessible to both the profession and the public at a reasonable price and in an appropriate format; and

* regularly reviewed, simplified and if necessary, repealed.

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I agree, easier access to the legislation and the rules/laws should be provided. I can think of a few laws that need to be repealed.

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<56><57> and <58>Law reform is essential to ensure that the law reflects the traditions, values and aspirations of all Australians. Law reform also ensures that our laws meet the needs of our modern democratic society.

#

 

Labor will seek to engage as many Australians as possible in issues of law reform so that our laws and legal system reflect the traditions, values and aspirations of all Australians.

#

 

Labor will provide adequate support and resources to law reform bodies, including the Australian Law Reform Commission, to enable them to provide independent and comprehensive advice on all aspects of law reform and to consult as widely as possible with the Australian people.

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Agreed. The people should be told the truth and then be given a say.

[DownUnderDoper]

thanks notacop

 

possibilities for some much needed common sense exist there certainly, it has been the Liberal Govt in Canberra that has been blocking many harm minimisation strategies (allowing expansion of the safe injecting room program for eg) and winding back those that were started under the previous Labour Govt.

[Indycar]

Sorry iamnotacop, not trying to have a shot at you, But I dunno how ya can use the words 'decriminalize' and 'regulate' in the same sentence.

 

To be honest i rather the laws stay the way they currently are if thats the case. Plus i wouldn't have faith in the weed that the gov would regulate.

 

Might be worthwhile to you, to research on how the Government screwed over licensed Tobacco growers 'n the industry as a whole within Australia. It wasn't that long ago.

 

To my understanding. The Gov basically bought back growers licenses over time and bought in extreme laws to stamp out the illegal trade. You've possibly heard of illegal tobacco referred to as 'chop chop'.

 

Anyway, my point being. By allowing the gov to regulate MJ. Your handing them a loaded gun, and possibly at some point, the Gov of the day may to a backflip and screw over MJ, like they did to the Tobacco industry within Australia.

 

Please be careful what you wish for...

 

[iamnotacop]

But I dunno how ya can use the words 'decriminalize' and 'regulate' in the same sentence.

 

Fair call, but let me explain my reasoning.

 

Full legalisation/decrim would mean that anyone can grow, or sell it, and there would be no Government control. One of the biggest thing in my mind is stopping my kids and all other kids, from having access to drugs untill they are old enough to understand what they are doing to their bodies. Responsible adults should be allowed to do what they want to their own bodies, only after they have recieved proper eduction. I really believe that there should be laws in place stopping kids from having access, and strong punishments for adults who supply drugs to kids. There fore some regulation may be required. Also for the coffee shop type scenario, big business growers/dealers I believe that there should be taxes paid the money they make, same as any other business. (not homegrowers who shout their mates a smoke). The money should be put back into the eduction and treatment areas, to help users and society in general.

 

I am not against people growing their own herb, even if they have kids. But I do believe there should be some sort of eduction involving securing the area away from kids, and the dangers of kids using drugs. No doubt most home growers are responsible people who do this already, but we can't say the same for meth labs. I read reports of some people using hotel room to cook up, that is putting the public at risk and not acceptable, in my opinion. I don't think that pills and powders should be made by the average Joe either. They should be made in laboratories by professionals who can be held accountable for the product they produce.

 

 

As for my personal belief. If I didn't have kids I probably wouldn't give a flying hoot about the way it is at the moment. I have smoked for nearly 15 years, grown my own for a number of years, and have only been busted twice. The first was one of the times that I got done for drink driving and had some buds in my pocket, which was pulled out at the cop shop during the search. They took my buds and gave me a pamphlet, made me sign a thing saying I had been given a warning. End of story.

Another time my house was being raided for something completely different, I had half a mix bowl full and bong on the table. The copper told me that they was not interested in that and left it there for me when they left, after not finding what they were looking for. This other copper bitch came in and said "hey look at that", and the copper I was talking to said not to worry about it.

 

So all in all, the laws have not affected me one bit. But I am deeply concerned about kids having access to not only Cannabis, but all the other drugs out there that can do far more damage to young minds. With an unregulated market there is no stopping kids having access. Also after lurking on here for years and being a member of overgrowdotcom for years I have read many a story about people being victimised over these unjust laws. It breaks my heart sometimes when I have read about medicinal users being thrown into jail, or a 94 year old grandmother being shot over a botched raid, hearing about corrupt police officers, watching the show "Cops" and seeing users carted off to jail for simple possession, seeing paramilitary type bastards ripping the front off houses in the middle of the night to do raids etc. I could go on forever about the injustice, and that is what it is. Injustice. Simple as that.

 

 

The problem with the drug using community is we all want different things. While we stay unorganised and all have different agendas then nothing will change for the benifit.

 

 

 

<edit>

Might be worthwhile to you, to research on how the Government screwed over licensed Tobacco growers 'n the industry as a whole within Australia. It wasn't that long ago.

 

To my understanding. The Gov basically bought back growers licenses over time and bought in extreme laws to stamp out the illegal trade. You've possibly heard of illegal tobacco referred to as 'chop chop'.

 

My cynical point of view is it was done to appease big tobacco companies in America. Wasn't that about the same time as "free trade agreements" were made with America?. If anything, 'Chop Chop' became more famous and prelavent/accessible after the licenses were taken/bought from farmers. I used to get it sent over from Melbourne, in half kilo bags, where friends brought it at the Dandy market.

 

The good things the Gov did do for tobacco was restrict advertising, (which should be done to alcohol IMHO), make the public more aware of the dangers of the product and restrict the availability to kids. Yes, kids can still get it, but not as easy as when I was a kid. There is still more work to be done, but they are on the right track, sorta.

Edited November 29, 2007 by iamnotacop

[Indycar]

Bloody good post iamnotacop.

 

I hear you loud 'n clear on protecting of the kids 'n that. That's why i abide by the strict guidelines that i have, self-imposed. Which also comes from years of experience in with cannabis.

 

The 'Kids and Cannabis' thing. I have some hardcore beliefs in that regard. Personally, i won't toke say at parties or BBQ's, or any other general areas that kids can access. In my house, i have room that i have for toking in, and once i'm finished, it's all locked away safe 'n secure and out of sight/harms way. Even have an extraction fan, that takes it out thru the roof, via a whirly-bird. So the smoke doesn't go thru the house. A bit over the top, but that just me.

 

Your spot on what they should do for the average joe that couldn't be bothered growing their own, and just want to be able to get a bit over the counter every now 'n again. Use the taxes for more accurate information for Educational purposes, and if there's any left over, pour it into health and re-habs areas for those who need some assistant if it becomes too much of a problem to them (very small majority, is my guess). After all, there will be some folk that struggle with these problems similar to alcoholics, other substance abuses, bad gambling habits, etc...

 

As for the personal grower and if it really needs regulating. Hope it never comes to that, but if it does. I'd prefer a annual licensing setup ($200 maybe?). Where say, you can apply for a license to grow whatever you see fit for that year to be 'self-sufficient'. But you must do so within a secure area, that kids and others cannot gain access to. So a proper lockable room that has been set up to adhere to structural, electrical and plumbing standards of Australia building code/s. Make it legit, and remove any hazards, and that way, if something does go wrong and a premises is burnt down or damaged by fire or whatever. It can be covered by insurance, if someone chooses to do so.

 

As for outdoor grower, I gotta admit. That one has me stumped. Maybe a lockable roof-less shed or glasshouse, nursery or something.

 

Believe it or not, there are some of us 'Responsible' growers/tokers out there. That want to see reasonable reform. To which direction it should go, i dunno for sure. But i'm doubtful it'll ever happen in this current political climate in regards to cannabis. Especially what we've seen from the 'Tough on Drugs' trumpeters. It'll never go down well, until all the cards are laid out on the table.

 

'Correct Information Reform' might have to come about before we can have 'Cannabis Law Reform'.

 

Edited November 29, 2007 by Indycar

[Peaceful]

Hi all, some very nice comments iamnotacop, keep up the good thinking Edited November 29, 2007 by Peaceful

[blackheartedprofit]

FUCK government control, governments are not supposed to "control" people they are supposed to represent the wishes of people, we have just about every aspect of our daily lives controlled and it sucks, if pot users accept anything less than full legalisation of all drugs then they have lost the struggle, people are going to use drugs, legal or not, that is part of the human experience for most and no fucker has the right to tell you that you can't do something to your own body, fact is that over 80% of people in jail are there for drug related "crimes" at a cost of something in the order of $3,000.00 per day per prisoner, that in itself is criminal, a crime perpetrated by government on it's society and as for kids trying drugs, well where are the parents and the life skills they should be teaching their kids ?, this is only a very brief outline of the fucked up system we have in place now but decriminilisation is not the answer because it assumes that drug use is a crime in the first place, which most rational people know it isn't

[pipeman]

I dunno I think some regulation is always required when products are being produced for commercial consumption, which no doubt cannabis would be if it was legalised. I'm not saying I would have any faith in government standards, but some sort of watchdog to stop the absolute worst practices is always a good idea as its human nature to get away with whatever you can get away with

[iamnotacop]

as for kids trying drugs, well where are the parents and the life skills they should be teaching their kids ?

 

Unfortunately for at least 6 hours a day for 5 days of the week I don't get to teach them anything at all. They learn lies from their teachers and have to put up with peer pressure from other kids who have been lied to as well. My parents were the best parents in the world, but I started my Apprenticeship as a Boilermaker/Welder when I was 15 years old, and it was the norm for most of the blokes to go for "pot smoko" at lunchtime. This is where I learned about Cannabis and first tried it. I found that I had been lied to and lost respect for the people that had lied to me. My parents best intentions had nothing to do with it.

 

Soon or a later the parents have to let go and the child enters the real world and learns from society. Unfortunately for most parents this happens way before they hit 18. This is why education is the answer, for the kids and for society

 

 

'Correct Information Reform' might have to come about before we can have 'Cannabis Law Reform'.

 

I agree

 

<edit>

fact is that over 80% of people in jail are there for drug related "crimes" at a cost of something in the order of $3,000.00 per day per prisoner

 

Can you please find some links to back those facts up, remembering we live in Australia.

 

 

. I'd prefer a annual licensing setup ($200 maybe?). Where say, you can apply for a license to grow whatever you see fit for that year to be 'self-sufficient'. But you must do so within a secure area, that kids and others cannot gain access to. So a proper lockable room that has been set up to adhere to structural, electrical and plumbing standards of Australia building code/s. Make it legit, and remove any hazards, and that way, if something does go wrong and a premises is burnt down or damaged by fire or whatever. It can be covered by insurance, if someone chooses to do so.

 

Excellent points.

Edited November 29, 2007 by iamnotacop

[WantDaChronic]

i personally dont see all drugs becoming decriminalised let alone marijuana being left alone from government interference in our lifetimes at best i see a system based on what you see in amsterdam, eg. organic drugs are quasi-legal and the harder drugs and users of them are frowned upon.

 

I think marijuana will never be completely legal, instead the government will sell licenses to personal growers and will allow coffee shops to open provided they pay really high taxes. i think even in an environment like that where you can grow your own or buy it from a shop, selling even a gram or growing without a license will get someone landed in prison which the government will be able to enforce thanks to all the billions of dollars they'll make each year from the licenses and taxes put on coffee shops

 

I personally wouldnt mind living in a system like what i mentioned above just so long as the licenses weren't based on what the police believe a single plant is worth