Beyond petrol sniffing: renewing hope for Indigenous communities

Beyond petrol sniffing: renewing hope for Indigenous communities

20 June 2006

© Commonwealth of Australia 2006
ISBN 0 642 71655 2

View the report as a single document - (PDF 904KB)


View the report as separate downloadable parts:

Foreward (PDF 215KB)
 
Membership of Committee (PDF 67KB)
 
List of Acronyms (PDF 70KB)
 
Executive Summary (PDF 65KB)
 
Recommendations (PDF 109KB)
 
Chapter 1 - Introduction (PDF 217KB)

Terms of reference
Conduct of the inquiry
 Acknowledgments
 Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination
Background to the inquiry
Recent reports with reference to petrol sniffing and substance abuse
 Parliamentary inquiries
   Senate Select Committee on Volatile Substance Fumes
   Victorian Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee
   House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family and Community Affairs
   Senate Legal and Constitutional References Committee
   House of Representatives Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
   Northern Territory Select Committee on Substance Abuse in the Community
 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody
 Gordon Inquiry in Western Australia
 Coronial inquiries
   South Australia 2002 and 2005
   Northern Territory 1998 and 2005
   Western Australia 2004
 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
Committee comment

 
Chapter 2 - Petrol sniffing - the causes and impact (PDF 187KB)

Introduction
Causes of petrol sniffing
 Social and economic disadvantage
   Poverty and hunger
   Lack of employment opportunities
   Shortage of housing
   Poor educational outcomes
 Cultural influences
Effects of petrol sniffing
 Physical effects
 Justice issues
 Effect on communities
 Impact on health costs
 Impact on family and carers
Incidence of petrol sniffing
Conclusion

 
Chapter 3 - Finding the solution (PDF 203KB)

Introduction
Comprehensive approach
 Whole-of-government approach
   National Inhalant Abuse Taskforce
   National Drug Strategy
   Eight Point Regional Strategy for Central Australia
 Engagement with communities
 Ongoing commitment to programs
Conclusion

 
Chapter 4 - Effectiveness of laws and policing (PDF 211KB)

Introduction
Legislation to combat sniffing and substance abuse
 Overseas examples
 Australian legislation
 Need for further legislation
 Aboriginal by-laws
Policing to combat sniffing
 Permanent police presence
 Aboriginal Community Police Officers
 Safe communities and attracting resources
 Night patrols
 Cooperative government policing strategies
   Tri-state approach and cross border policing
   Whole-of-government approach
   Eight Point Regional Strategy for Central Australia
Conclusion

 
Chapter 5 - Community-based solutions (PDF 218KB)

Introduction
Community engagement
Programs and funding
 Youth programs
 Outstations
 Rehabilitation facilities
Community capacity
 Community governance
 Support for the community
Conclusion

 
Chapter 6 - The impact of Opal fuel (PDF 193KB)

The introduction and supply of Opal
 Access to Commonwealth subsidy
 The Queensland Government Fuel Subsidy
Production and suitability of Opal as a fuel
Possible alteration of Opal properties by adding other substances
A comprehensive roll out of Opal
 Access Economics Opal Cost Benefit Analysis
 A strategic limitation of supply
 The Commonwealth's approach
Other issues for a successful roll out
Conclusions

 
Appendix 1 (PDF 126KB)

List of public submissions, tabled documents and other additional information authorised for publication by the Committee

 
Appendix 2 (PDF 114KB)

Witnesses who appeared before the Committee at public hearings

 
Appendix 3 (PDF 167KB)

Legislation relating to inhalant abuse

For further information, contact:

Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia

Phone: +61 2 6277 3515
Fax: +61 2 6277 5829
Email: community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au