It gives me great pleasure today to announce the membership of the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) for its forthcoming three year term, under the continuing chairmanship of Major Brian Watters AO.
The ANCD is the Australian Government's key advisory body on illicit drugs policy. It has played an important role in the development and implementation of effective strategies to address illicit drug use in our communities.
I am confident that the new membership of the ANCD has the right mix of experience, knowledge and expertise to provide advice to government on this very complex matter. The ANCD's advice over the next three years will be vital to support ongoing policy and programmes and to shape government responses to emerging illicit drug priorities, including:
* amphetamines and other stimulant drugs; * treatment programmes for people with both mental health and illicit drug problems; and * working collaboratively with countries in the Asia-Pacific region to combat illicit drugs.
Many challenges remain in our fight against illicit drugs in this country. Together the ANCD and the Australian Government will continue to develop and implement a balanced and comprehensive response though law enforcement, prevention, education and treatment services.
To those departing members, I thank you for your dedication and hard work on the ANCD and wish you well in your future endeavours. I would also like to welcome four new members and look forward to working with the new ANCD in the future.
The full list of the ANCD's membership is attached.
ATTACHMENT
The following people have been appointed to the ANCD (2004-07):
Major Brian Watters AO, as chairman of the Council Associate Professor Robert Ali
Mr David Crosbie
Mr Nick Gill
Professor Margaret Hamilton
Ms Julie Hanbury
Mr Jeff Linden
Professor Richard Mattick
Ms Tonie Miller
Mr Garth Popple
Professor John Saunders
Professor Ian Webster AO
Associate Professor Ted Wilkes
Mr Scott Wilson
Mr Dennis Young
The following people are ex-officio members: Commissioner Mick Keelty, as deputy chairman of the Council
Superintendent Frank Hansen
Ms Wendy Teasdale-Smith