Palaszczuk Government Restores Drug Court Axed by LNP

As promised, the Palaszczuk Government has reinstated the Drug Court in Queensland.

Queensland Parliament has just passed legislation to not only re-establish the program, but also expand it to also include alcohol-dependent offenders.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath said the passing of the Penalties and Sentences (Drug and Alcohol Treatment Orders) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 restored a vital service thoughtlessly axed by the Newman-Nicholls LNP Government.

“We build what the LNP destroyed,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“This is yet another example of how Queenslanders can rely on Labor to provide important frontline services, and to keep our commitments.

“The Drug and Alcohol Court will target the underlying cause of crime and provide an intensive and targeted response to adult offenders with severe drug and alcohol issues,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“It’s important to realise that these are not ‘soft options’. Addressing an addiction is a difficult and often painful process, but is vital to breaking the cycle of drug and alcohol misuse and criminal offending.”

“The court’s ultimate objective is to keep our community safe, and help offenders become productive members of our society.”

Mrs D’Ath said the program was based on an expert review of best practice in similar courts across Australia and the world.

“Regular and random drug testing and regular court appearances will make sure offenders are staying on track,” she said.

“The treatment program will be tailored to an individual’s needs and may require them to have medical or psychiatric treatment, counselling, or wear a device monitoring drug and alcohol usage.”

Mrs D’Ath said the new Drug and Alcohol Court pilot in Brisbane should be operational in November.

The Drug and Alcohol Court is the latest specialist court introduced, or restored, by Labor.

The Palaszczuk Government has also installed a permanent Domestic and Family Violence Courts at Southport; is extending the DV Court to Beenleigh and Townsville, with circuits to Mt Isa and Palm Island; and has reintroduced Special Circumstances Court, court-ordered Youth Justice Conferencing, and the Murri Court.

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