Mr. Paul Reid:

I recall the debate we had on the day we came to that recommendation. There was a call from the floor. We originally said we would give it a year. It might even have been my advice that we give time to do it. However, from the floor, the assembly was very clear that we had to send a strong indication of the pace and urgency of it. That is where the June 2024 date came from.

Like the Senator, I was extremely disappointed to read statements this week from the Department of Health that it will get to this in 2025. It will continue evaluation and oversight but 2025 is when the national drugs strategy expires. We need a new strategy now. Again, I very publicly say that this is not getting the pace, urgency and attention it needs. It is not getting the focus. We are losing time, focus and pace. We are also losing lives. I am making a real call. June 2024 has not been achieved but if is going to be June 2025, we will lose many more lives.