Communiques
Communique - May 2010
The Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) is the principal advisory body to the Government on drug policy and plays a critical role in ensuring the voice of the many sectors involved, as well as the community, is heard in relation to drug related policies and strategies.
The ANCD consists of representatives from the non government and government drug and alcohol and related sectors (treatment, research, law enforcement, education etc) from around Australia.
Council meetings and consultations with people working with drug and alcohol issues are held in a different State or Territory every three months. Through these meetings and consultation forums, the ANCD is able to ensure that the views of the sector, in particular non-government, community-based organisations are considered as part of drug policy advice.
In May 2010, the ANCD Council met via teleconference in order to hold its quarterly meeting.
ANCD Meeting
The ANCD discussed and debated a number of issues at its meeting which included:
- The Council discussed the current membership, it was anticipated that the new membership for 2010 – 2013 would be in place. It was however noted that the communication that the ANCD has received from the Prime Minister’s office has been very supportive of the ANCD.
- Recognised that the recent Henry Review provided an outcome that volumetric taxation on alcohol would not be discussed for 10 years, the reasoning behind this was the current wine glut that Australia is experiencing. It was noted by members that volumetric taxation would be seen as an attack on the elderly, poor and the marginalised.
- There is an urgent need for the Federal Government to understand the impact of the signage that has been erected throughout the intervention areas of the Northern Territory. This signage relates to alcohol, pornography and drugs.
- Recognised the success of the recent launch of the Situational Analysis of Drug and Alcohol Issues and Responses in the Pacific 2008-09 report.
- Recognised the success of the recent launch of the Indigenous-Specific Alcohol and Other Drug Interventions report.
- Congratulation to Ms Jude Munroof the Brisbane City Council on her retirement.
- Congratulations to Mr Bill Forrest who has taken on a new role as CEO of ICLEI.
Recent Launches
-
Of Substance will be launching their new website Jobs of Substance (http://www.jobsofsubstance.com.au) which is the only jobsite dedicated to people working in the Australian health, community and welfare sectors. Employers will be able to advertise vacant positions to a targeted market, thanks to the cross-promotion with the Australian drug and alcohol sector's most widely read publication - Of Substance magazine.
- NIDAC will be launching its new website: www.nidac.org.au which will provide information to the sector on upcoming events, recent news, projects NIDAC is currently working on as well as reports and publications.
Important Opportunities Open Now or Closing Soon
1. National Drug & Alcohol Awards Night: http://www.drugawards.org.au/
2. National Indigenous Drug & Alcohol Conference Registration http://www.nidaconference.com.au/
Next Meeting
The next ANCD meeting is scheduled to be held in Sydney on the 19th & 20th of August 2010.
