Mr. Paul Reid:

We have yet to test what is the appetite among all statutory bodies to adopt the change we are recommending and whatever change is recommended by this committee. This is the moment. It cannot wait for another few years to make decisions on it. We are very clear on this. The status quo was looked at as an option and it was ruled out by the assembly. We looked at the current health-led approach that was in the 2017 strategy and it was ruled out as an option. We went further and we believe that it needs legislation to decriminalise. That is the different approach that we recommended based on the current strategy. We believe legislation is needed to decriminalise it.

As I said to Senator Sherlock earlier, we left some things open. This committee will consider what that legislation will do, what legislation has to be tackled, issues around prison sentences, whether legislation on prison sentences needs to be introduced, how prison sentences for drugs can be eliminated and a few other issues. As I said to Senator Sherlock, our view is clear that we need to decriminalise in order to get us out of this vicious cycle.

As to where the appetite is for the other statutory bodies, my own sense is that that is under test now. If we are really serious about it, we should not be talking about 2025.