Tuesday, 16 August 2005

Turner calls on Govt to distance Greens over cannabis

United Future deputy leader Judy Turner today backed a Northland coroner's call for legislation outlawing the use of boats or cars by anyone who has recently used cannabis, and called on Labour to distance itself from the pro-drug Greens.

"Kaitaia coroner Robin Fountain's has made serious recommendations that the Government must take on board and act on:

"It's time for legislation that makes it a specific offence to control a vehicle or craft of any description while under the influence of drugs. It is an anomaly that alcohol is legislated against but drugs aren't," Mrs Turner said.

Mr Fountain made his recommendations after finding that cannabis use was a crucial factor in the deaths of two fishermen off North Cape last August.

"There have been similar cases in the past and nothing has been done about it," Mrs Turner said.

She said if Labour couldn't take such a strong line because of "its new-found political cuddling up to the Greens, then it's putting its own political interests before the public good and that is simply unacceptable".

She said that the Greens were New Zealand's pro-drugs party and Labour needed to take that into account.

"The Greens have had a consistently irresponsible approach to drugs and Labour will now stand blemished by association."

Mrs Turner confirmed that retaining the current illegal status of cannabis would a non-negotiable bottom line in any coalition arrangement involving United Future.

ENDS

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