Posted on August 28, 2009
There is more illegal drug crime per head of population in South Australia than anywhere else in the country.
*Figures released yesterday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics – The Recorded Crime – Offenders selected State and Territories (4519.0)outlines the number of offenders aged 10 years and over and the type of offences that were proceeded against by police around Australia (except WA) between the period 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008.
David Ridgway Shadow Police Minister said that the only State or Territory in which illicit drugs was the principal offence during that period was South Australia.
*Percentage of Illicit Drugs as predominant principal offence July 1 2007 July 30 2008
NSW | 10% |
Vic | 13% |
Qld | 14% |
SA | 28% |
Tas | 14% |
NT | 9% |
ACT | 8% |
“The dominance of illegal drug crime in SA makes a mockery of Premier Rann’s constant bleating of being ‘tough on crime’” Mr Ridgway said.
“Mike Rann has ignored the causes of crime - he has ‘twittered’ and talked tough but has never taken effective action to address the social dysfunction that underpins mushrooming criminal behaviour.
“The nature of crime can change but the root causes are often the same;
disaffected young men, drugs, family breakdown, social isolation and poverty.
“In 2002 Mike Rann held a Drug Summit which aimed to reduce the incidence of drugs and related drug crime in our community – it has failed - was as suspected another ‘talkfest’.
“In July this year the 2007/2008 Australian Crime Commissions National Clandestine Laboratory Database revealed that per capita SA has more illegal drug producing laboratories than any other state in the country.
“For every 23,000 South Australians there is one illegal drug lab detected each year compared to one drug lab for every 60,000 people nationally.
“Illicit drugs and their illegal production increases violent criminal behaviour and is poisoning the fabric of our community.
“Mike Rann and his Ministers can’t continue to put their heads in the sand and hope the spiralling violent crime will go away before the next election.
“Violent assault in SA has increased steadily since 2002 with 17,178 people becoming victims of assault in 2008, that’s about 50 people per day!
ABS figures highlight that between 2002 and 2008:
· Homicide and related offences increased by 22.6%
· Armed Robbery has increased by 10.4 %
· Assault has increased by 3.9 %
“Unprovoked attacks on defenceless people, shootings and violent robberies have become a daily occurrence.
“Our Globe trotting, celebrity chasing Premier needs to get home and fight the scourge of drugs that is wrecking our community”.