Responsible Government Vic. 07/01/06

The following is a copy of our letter to most members of Victorian Parliament, some letters in responce are on file, and can be view, if required.

Dear MP (named)
As many of your constituents are also our members, I have been requested to bring to your attention the following, please find enclosed a copy, Ballarat Courier, December 2005, "Marijuana now the teen drug of choice" Now! how many of these young people will end up with criminal conviction, an unnecessary burden for the rest of their life.

As you may not be aware, the Jeff Kennett Government, implemented ways to tackle the problem of drug abuse in our community, forming of the Premier's Drug Advisory Council, Chairman, Professor David Penington, presented its report "Drugs and Our Community" to the Government in March 1996.

31st May 1996, As both houses of Parliament assembled, an historic moment itself, to note the reports of the Premier's Drug Advisory Council and the address of Professor David Penington. The Government and Opposition accepted the broad thrust of the Penington report. Professor Penington was available to answer any question put to him. His answer to the question put by Mr. Ashley (Bayswater) was raised several times, After the break (happy hour) cynical remarks by several members of the Government, no doubt, endeavoring to undermine Professor Penington

Premier's Drug Advisory Council report recommendation 7 'The Victorian Government amend the Drugs Poisons and Controlled Substance Act 1981" was not passed in full, it was only after recommendations 7.1 to 7.5 had been deleted that it gained support. For your convenience I have enclosed herewith, retyped copies of the unsupported recommendations.

I did not illustrate the public unrest when they learnt the most impotent recommendations had not been supported. Again this leaving open to ponder just how many members of the 53rd Parliament, have committed obligations, to protect the financial interest of their colleges in the legal profession, yes! members of a private club. Open to question a conflict of interest

In January 1997, The then Premier, Jeff Kennett announced the allocation of more than $59 million for the $100 million four year, Turning the Tide strategy, If you read the enclosed article (Ballarat Courier) it would be with in reason to assume the project has failed.

Les McDonald