Pubdate: Thu, 27 Nov 2003
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Copyright: 2003 Northern Territory News
Contact:  http://ntnews.news.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/283
Author: Karen Michelmore

DUNHAM PUSHES DOPE TEST FOR MLAS

Territory Politicians Would Face Random Drug Tests Under a Proposal 
Presented to the NT Parliament Yesterday.

Under the move, believed to be an Australian first, the Territory's 25 
elected members would face random tests for cannabis, opiates and 
amphetamines. But the Opposition Private Member's Bill is likely to fail. 
Opposition MP Stephen Dunham said his proposal was aimed at bringing 
politicians into step with other occupations where testing is required. It 
follows the announcement earlier this month that the entire Australian 
Defence Force would face random drug tests, after 47 out of 97 soldiers at 
Darwin's Robertson barracks tested positive to illicit substances. "I think 
in society there are a lot of groups _ sportsmen, professional drivers, 
pilots, our whole defence force and people who work on mining sites who are 
subject to random drug testing," Mr Dunham said. "I think that if 
politicians are inclined to make rules of that type they should abide by 
them. "I also believe that people in the wider society expect elected 
leaders to not only adhere to standards of behaviour and ethics, but maybe 
even have higher standards. "I don't think it's a problem to demonstrate to 
the people that an attitude of zero tolerance to illicit drugs is in our 
parliament." Mr Dunham said he expected some of the tests - to be conducted 
at least annually _ would return positive results. "It's possible (there 
will be positive readings) because the drug testing is fairly accurate and 
it can pick up drugs sometime after people have used them recreationally," 
he said. The Leader of Government Business and Police Minister Paul 
Henderson said the Government was unlikely to support the bid. "My first 
instinct is he hasn't identified a problem which he is seeking to cure with 
this Bill," Mr Henderson said. "I believe it is purely a political stunt." 
The Bill is expected to be debated early next year.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager