News (Media Awareness Project) - Australia: Column: Slow on the Draw |
| Title: | Australia: Column: Slow on the Draw |
| Published On: | 2004-07-26 |
| Source: | Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-18 04:32:30 |
SLOW ON THE DRAW
In the wake of Mark Latham's admission that he tried marijuana in his
youth, the Health Minister, Tony Abbott, and the NSW Premier, Bob Carr,
have been sucked into the dope debate.
Latham made headlines at the weekend by telling journalists he used
cannabis in his youth. "Yes, I did, and I have got to own up I did inhale.
So there you go. How about that?" Latham said, refusing to elaborate.
In 1992, former US president Bill Clinton admitted trying marijuana,
telling a reporter: "I didn't like it. I didn't inhale."
Yesterday on Sunday Sunrise, Abbott was asked about smoking weed by Seven's
chief political correspondent, Mark Riley.
Riley: Mark Latham admitted yesterday smoking marijuana. He won't say when
or how often. Is this important? Should he give a detailed account of his
illicit drug use now?
Abbott: That's really a matter for him. The important thing is not whether
or not he might have smoked dope in the past. The important thing is, what
is his policy now? As far as the Government's concerned, our policy is to
be tough on drugs. Our policy is that we oppose injecting rooms, we oppose
heroin trials, and no one knows where the Labor Party stands on these things.
Riley: And marijuana - have you smoked marijuana?
Abbott: Ah, look, haven't I put enough skeletons out of the closet over the
last few weeks?
Riley: Well, you're in that mood. How about another one?
Abbott: (laughs)
Riley: Well, it's a fair question, isn't it? You're Health Minister and
you're talking about drug policy.
Abbott: Look, I had a puff on a marijuana cigarette when I was a student.
Riley: Right. Did you inhale?
Abbott: Um, I don't inhale normal cigarettes, let alone illegal cigarettes.
Riley: So, what? Did Bill Clinton roll this reefer?
Abbott: I'm afraid, in this matter, Bill Clinton and I have something in
common.
Bob Carr handled the dope question in his own inimitable way yesterday.
Asked whether he ever smoked marijuana, Carr said: "I refer you to my
previous answer: I haven't smoked it and when I didn't smoke it I didn't
inhale."
In the wake of Mark Latham's admission that he tried marijuana in his
youth, the Health Minister, Tony Abbott, and the NSW Premier, Bob Carr,
have been sucked into the dope debate.
Latham made headlines at the weekend by telling journalists he used
cannabis in his youth. "Yes, I did, and I have got to own up I did inhale.
So there you go. How about that?" Latham said, refusing to elaborate.
In 1992, former US president Bill Clinton admitted trying marijuana,
telling a reporter: "I didn't like it. I didn't inhale."
Yesterday on Sunday Sunrise, Abbott was asked about smoking weed by Seven's
chief political correspondent, Mark Riley.
Riley: Mark Latham admitted yesterday smoking marijuana. He won't say when
or how often. Is this important? Should he give a detailed account of his
illicit drug use now?
Abbott: That's really a matter for him. The important thing is not whether
or not he might have smoked dope in the past. The important thing is, what
is his policy now? As far as the Government's concerned, our policy is to
be tough on drugs. Our policy is that we oppose injecting rooms, we oppose
heroin trials, and no one knows where the Labor Party stands on these things.
Riley: And marijuana - have you smoked marijuana?
Abbott: Ah, look, haven't I put enough skeletons out of the closet over the
last few weeks?
Riley: Well, you're in that mood. How about another one?
Abbott: (laughs)
Riley: Well, it's a fair question, isn't it? You're Health Minister and
you're talking about drug policy.
Abbott: Look, I had a puff on a marijuana cigarette when I was a student.
Riley: Right. Did you inhale?
Abbott: Um, I don't inhale normal cigarettes, let alone illegal cigarettes.
Riley: So, what? Did Bill Clinton roll this reefer?
Abbott: I'm afraid, in this matter, Bill Clinton and I have something in
common.
Bob Carr handled the dope question in his own inimitable way yesterday.
Asked whether he ever smoked marijuana, Carr said: "I refer you to my
previous answer: I haven't smoked it and when I didn't smoke it I didn't
inhale."
Member Comments |
No member comments available...
