NEWS: SMH - 24/06/07 'MPs should be drug tested: Heffernan'

[lil angel15]

MPs should be drug tested: Heffernan
Kerry-Anne Walsh
June 24, 2007

ONE of the Prime Minister's close confidants has challenged politicians to set an example to the sporting and wider community and submit to random drug testing.

"What's good for the goose is good for the gander," Senator Bill Heffernan said yesterday. "If it is good enough for us to push footy heroes, what about us?"

Senator Heffernan was inspired to make his call by former addict and junior rugby star Darren Marton, who told his story of redemption at Parliament House on Thursday.

Marton is leading the No Way anti-drugs campaign in sport, as Government ministers lock horns with football executives over their push for a policy of zero tolerance of drugs in sport.

The controversial senator insisted he had never seen any evidence of illegal drug-taking in Federal Parliament.

But he believed random drug testing of politicians would be important to act as a deterrent and send a message "that we are fair dinkum serious about stamping out drug use".

"It is a pretty simple message," he said. "If we are serious about limiting damage, to kids in particular, then we should lead by example.

"We're drug testing our role models and people who have people's lives in their hands like pilots, train drivers, police. It is unacceptable for decision makers to put themselves above the law." When he raised his idea with the Prime Minister, Mr Howard said if he thought there was a problem he would do something about it.

Senator Heffernan believes drug testing should also be extended to courtrooms, with judges and lawyers subjected to workplace testing.

He said they had as much responsibility for people's lives as train drivers and pilots, and many reports had highlighted drug taking in the legal profession.

Led by Sports Minister George Brandis and Minister for Ageing Christopher Pyne, the Government wants football codes to adopt a nationally consistent tough anti-drugs policy.

It has criticised the AFL's "three strikes" policy, which keeps the first two positive test results secret, but heaped praise on the NRL's stricter approach, which fines first offenders.

Sydney's Adam Goodes is one of six AFL players who have hit back, challenging the Government to drug test its own and terminate MPs who test positive.

Senator Heffernan would not say what he believed a punishment should be for politicians who tested positive to illicit drugs.

He said he was "putting up the idea" because if the Government was serious about its strict anti-drugs message it had a responsibility to set an example.

"We shouldn't be any different to anyone else," he said. "It sends the wrong message."

SMH

 

[yossarian_is_sane!]

I can see this turning in to the great loyalty oath crusade from catch-22...

 

[Splatt]

I want Christopher Pyne to pass a test. He's gotta be on something to be that brain damaged

 

[katmeow]

Why don't we just start testing everybody.

This would be a very important use of taxpayer funds.

 

[PsiloSubNaut]

I agree they should be tested!

They don't test them for the same reason they don't test for cocaine in roadside drug tests...

They know how many judges, lawyers and doctors they would bust!

As always they pick on the easy targets and the rich and powerful get away with everything...

 

[Rats_are_Dancin]

Considering the Government goes on a crusade against sporting bodys (I aint a sports fan) for there Drug Testing regime then would not the Goverment want to lead by example test themselves? They are involved in a great deal more than some overexposed sport.
Oh yeah thats rite we dont have a Government that leads

Peace LOve and MUngbeans

 

[ostrich]

Blatant attack on the greens!