Community safety is being boosted with the Morrison Government providing an extra $3.5 million to Crime Stoppers Australia – to support their national Dob-in-a-Dealer campaign to take down drug dealers.
“Illegal drugs cause untold despair and damage to families and individuals – both here in the Toowoomba Region and nationally,” Mr Hamilton said.
“This extra funding will mean more local communities across Australia can be encouraged to actively report on the manufacture and supply of illicit drugs – so we can catch the criminals who profit from the misery of drugs.”
Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said Australians could trust the Morrison Government to keep families safe from the damage caused by illicit drugs.
“This builds on record funding in the Budget so the Australian Federal Police (AFP) can get even more weapons and drugs off our streets and keep locals safe,” Minister Andrews said.
“Under the Morrison Government, decriminalising drug trafficking offences will never be up for negotiation, and we will continue to give our law enforcement agencies the powers and resources they need to keep our communities safe.”
“Labor and the Greens’ ‘soft on crime’ approach would destroy local communities and fuel organised crime.”
Mrs Andrews said Australians faced a choice between the successful policies of the Morrison Government, and those of Anthony Albanese – who would put de-criminalisation on the table in his negotiations to form a Labor-Greens Government.
“The fight on drugs is something we take very seriously. The Morrison Government’s policies are working and are having a real impact,” Mr Hamilton said.
“Every dealer, no matter how large or small their enterprise, is connected to organised crime – and this Government will continue to crack down on offenders.”
Mr Hamilton said the results speak for themselves – under the Morrison Government:
- the weight of illicit drugs seized nationally increased by 45 per cent last financial year – to a staggering 38.5 tonnes – which is a 314 per cent increase over the last decade; and,
- this has resulted in a decrease in the consumption of cocaine, methyl amphetamine, MDMA, and heroin by almost five tonnes, or 23 per cent year-on-year – the first decrease in illicit drug consumption recorded in five years.
Mr Hamilton said that national security and community safety were fundamental to the Morrison Government’s plan for a stronger future.
People with information about the manufacture, importation or sale of illicit drugs should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppers.com.au. You can remain anonymous.
