KERR MEETS DRUG REFORM MPS

WA Politicians who support drug law reform have met their national convener
before the imminent introduction of a Bill to State Parliament to
decriminalise cannabis.

Parliamentarians for Drug Law Reform national convener Duncan Kerr visited
Perth on Friday to meet the 12 WA MPs who are members of the cross-party
and cross-jurisdictional group.

Mr Kerr, a Federal Labor MP, urged all WA politicians to support the
proposed legislation, saying it would mean modest but important changes.

Under the legislation, a personal use offender will face an on-the-spot
fine instead of a criminal conviction. No limit will be set on the number
of times a person can be fined, though police will retain discretionary
powers to lay criminal charges.

"The reforms being proposed for WA are modest. I would be disappointed if
there was a community debate which doesn't focus on the improvements that
they will bring about," Mr Kerr said.

It is expected the legislation will be debated in this session of
Parliament. South-West MLC Christine Sharp, who is the WA convener of
Parliamentarians for Drug Law Reform, said she hoped the debate on cannabis
law reform would be dealt with in an apolitical way and not clouded with
political opportunism.