Greens leader Bob Brown today backed the Prime Minister's call for nationally consistent drug laws, but said plans to quarantine welfare payments for people convicted of offences involving hard drugs were problematic.

"Presumably the welfare quarantine will apply to people convicted of offences involving drink driving, prescription drugs and cannabis as well. What about for people convicted of other serious crimes like theft and assault?" Senator Brown asked.

Senator Brown said that the Greens supported the Prime Minister's harm minimisation approach to drugs, including the government's $165 million package to ensure the continuation of the Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative, introduced in 1999 to ensure offenders are diverted away from prison and into rehabilitation, announced in September.

Senator Brown said the Greens' policy clearly states that:

·        The Greens do not support the legalisation of currently illegal drugs;
·        The Greens support criminal penalties for drug dealers;
·        The Greens support increasing the availability of diversion to rehabilitation and treatment programs as a sentencing alternative for people convicted of crimes committed to support a personal addiction to drugs;
·        The Greens support introducing a system of sanctions for personal use of illicit drugs, when not associated with other crimes, that include measures such as education, counselling and treatment commensurate with specific cases and circumstances.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603