Media Release: Drug Law Reform Party Registers with AEC, 10th May 2013
It is Official! We’re about to have a party....Australia’s own Drug Law Reform Party!
Thanks to an overwhelming response from their recent membership drive, the newly incorporated Drug Law Reform Australia has the numbers to register as a political party for the next Federal Election.
According to Greg Chipp, President of Drug Law Reform Australia, “We’ve garnered 750 signups in three months with 550 members confirmed on the electoral roll. We’re currently submitting our application as this is well in excess of the Australian Electoral Commission’s requirements.” The AEC registration process will take about 10 weeks.
“We are more than a political party; we are now a political movement.” Mr Chipp proclaimed. “Thanks to the overwhelming response from the Australian public, we have won the right to put the words ‘Drug Law Reform’ on 13 million ballot papers in the September Federal Election.”
Greg Denham, newly elected Vice-President of Drug Law Reform Australia and a former Senior Sergeant in the Victoria Police, agrees stating “We aim to become the lightning rod for serious community discussion about the catastrophic failure of current drug policies. We'll keep making a noise until the mainstream parties also realise that this is a neglected issue that affects all Australians.”
The first order of business for Australia’s newest political force is a call for expressions of interest from potential Senate candidates.
“Our success depends on good people, preferably those with an existing public profile who are prepared to step up and carry this much maligned cause forward”, Mr Chipp asserts. “It’s a role well suited to retired police officers, judges, lawyers, teachers, academics, healthcare professionals or former politicians - those that know the true cost of the failed war on drugs.” he added.
About Drug Law Reform Australia
Drug Law Reform Australia exists to raise awareness of the ongoing harm being done to our children, families, institutions, and society in general, by the current harm maximising drug laws.
The party maintains that drug use can be dangerous and problematic drug abuse is a major health concern, however criminalising drug use does more harm than good.
Drug Law Reform Australia believes that the focus of drug policy in Australia must shift from law enforcement and policing to health strategies.
With these reforms, the huge amount of public money currently squandered on the failed ‘War on Drugs’ can be re-allocated to improving health services for those struggling with dependency.
For media enquiries, please call Greg Chipp on 0417 773 372, or Greg Denham on 0424 193 857.