NT BILL PROPOSES DRUG TESTS FOR POLITICIANS

A Country Liberal Party (CLP) parliamentarian has introduced
legislation for the random drug testing of the Northern Territory's
politicians.

Member for Drysdale Stephen Dunham says he believes some MLA's use
drugs and that the bill is a national first.

"I would suspect that there'd be members in the parliament that would
recreationally use drugs from time to time, if you went through the
Australian parliament group you'd probably find there's even people
addicted to illicit drugs," he said.

"I don't think that's a terribly abhorrent thing to be saying because
statistically I would say that that's the case."

He hopes the government will seriously consider his
bill.

"It's not a wowsers' bill, it's not intended to wag fingers or
anything," he said.

Mr Dunham says parliamentarians should be subjected to the same
conditions of employment as defence and airline personnel, where their
jobs can be terminated if they are found to be under the influence of
illegal substances.

"It is intended to say that as politicians who make laws, we should
abide by those laws that in other circumstances can cause people to
lose their jobs."